An exploratory bibliometric analysis of robot-assisted ligament repair and reconstruction surgery worldwide

This bibliometric study aims to map the global research landscape of robot-assisted ligament repair and reconstruction surgery from 2016 to 2025, identifying publication trends, leading contributors, collaborative networks, research hotspots and the intellectual structure of this emerging field. English-language literature was systematically retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database published between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2025. After deduplication and independent screening by two researchers against predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 47 articles (35 original research articles and 12 reviews) were included. Bibliometric analysis and network visualisation were performed using CiteSpace software (version 7.0). Annual publication trends, country/institutional distribution, author collaboration networks, reference co-citation and keyword co-occurrence patterns were analysed. Annual publications exhibited a fluctuating upward trend, increasing from one article in 2016 to seven in 2025, with a cumulative total of 47 articles (R² = 0.7985). China led in output with 18 publications (38.3%), followed by the United States with 11 (23.4%); Peking University and Xi'an Jiaotong University were the most productive institutions. Author collaboration was characterised by broad participation yet shallow cooperation, with no stable core research group and generally low centrality. The co-citation network revealed a two-cluster structure with sparse connectivity, indicating limited knowledge transfer between early and recent studies. Keyword analysis identified six major directions, with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction as the dominant cluster. Research themes evolved from fundamental disciplines toward image-guided technologies, handheld robotic devices and, most recently, artificial intelligence integration. Research on robot-assisted ligament repair and reconstruction has progressed from initial exploration to gradual growth over the past decade; however, it remains in an early developmental stage with limited output and an immature knowledge framework. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction constitutes the current core focus, and the convergence of artificial intelligence is an emerging trend warranting continued observation. Enhanced inter-institutional and international collaboration is needed to advance the field.