Bibliometric and Knowledge-Mapping Analysis of Sacrococcygeal Pilonidal Disease Research (2000-2025)

Sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease (SPD) is an acquired inflammatory condition predominantly affecting young adults and adolescents, with a rising incidence and substantial clinical burden. Despite increasing research activity, the global scientific landscape of SPD, including research output, co-authorship patterns, knowledge diffusion pathways, thematic evolution, and emerging research frontiers, has not been systematically analyzed in the peer-reviewed literature. This study aimed to address this gap using a multitool bibliometric analysis. Bibliometric tools (VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Pajek) were used to summarize the key features and generate visualizations. Articles and reviews on SPD published between 2000 and 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. A total of 1,014 papers from 72 countries and 1,387 institutions were included. Research output steadily increased, with a marked acceleration after 2018. Turkey led in publication productivity and citation impact, whereas Germany, England, and the USA were key hubs for international collaboration. The University of Naples Federico II published the most articles, while the Technical University of Munich received the most citations. Dietrich Doll emerged as the most prominent and productive researcher in this field. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum was the most influential journal. Increasing research attention toward minimally invasive techniques, alongside continued interest in conventional surgical approaches, was identified. Current research interests emphasize less invasive strategies, etiological prevention, and evidence synthesis. This study provides valuable information for clinicians and researchers to better understand the current global status of SPD, recognize emerging research themes, and identify potential areas for future investigation and collaboration.