Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy for lung cancer: bibliometric and visualized analysis

Lung cancer ranks among the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, with a high mortality rate, and early diagnosis is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (RAB) has attracted increasing attention from clinicians and researchers as an emerging diagnostic technology. This bibliometric analysis presents co‑occurrence networks based on 172 publications sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) between 2019 and 2026. Data analysis and visualization were conducted using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica, Microsoft Excel, and R software with the Bibliometrix package. The number of publications increased markedly after 2023, and although the dataset for 2026 was incomplete, the publication count had already surpassed that of previous years. The collaboration network involved 25 nations, among which the United States provided the largest number of publications by a substantial margin, and Mayo Clinic was the most productive institution. Research on RAB in lung cancer has progressed through three developmental stages: technological exploration, clinical validation, and therapeutic expansion. The early focus on feasibility and technology introduction has shifted toward clinical treatment and comprehensive disease management. Recent research hotspots include radiofrequency ablation and atelectasis, among others. The present study offers a broad overview of the global research landscape, collaboration patterns, and new research trends in RAB for lung cancer, offering valuable insights into future technological advancements, interdisciplinary cooperation, and clinical translation.