Global research trends and thematic evolution in robotic microsurgery and supermicrosurgery: a bibliometric…

ReviewJournal of robotic surgery· Jul 2026

Global research trends and thematic evolution in robotic microsurgery and supermicrosurgery: a bibliometric and visualisation study.

Qinyuan Wang, Chao Sun, Xiaohuan Li, Meihong Zhang

Microsurgery & FlapsReviewQ1IF 4.0

Robotic microsurgery literature includes 145 publications, with rapid recent growth.

Global research trends and thematic evolution in robotic microsurgery and supermicrosurgery: a bibliometric and visualisation study.

Qinyuan Wang … Meihong Zhang

Journal of robotic surgery · Jul 2026 · Q1 in Surgery

Background

Robotic microsurgery and supermicrosurgery have emerged as important extensions of precision surgery, with applications in reconstructive surgery, lymphatic surgery, urology-andrology, peripheral nerve repair, and surgical robotics.

Purpose

We therefore aimed to map publication trends, major contributors, citation structures, research hotspots, and emerging directions in robotic microsurgery and supermicrosurgery using literature indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (Web of Science Core Collection).

145

Results

145

publications

the growing number of research papers on robotic microsurgery

More results

Publications on robotic microsurgery and supermicrosurgery recorded in Web of Science Core Collection between 1 January 2000 and 28 February 2026 were identified.

English-language original articles and reviews indexed in SCIE or SSCI were eligible for inclusion.

More results

Publication activity was limited before 2010, increased progressively in subsequent years, and accelerated markedly after 2023, with annual output peaking in 2025.

The United States was consistently the leading contributor, whereas Germany and China showed rapid recent growth.

“

Conclusion

Future multicentre studies with standardised outcome measures, learning-curve assessment, long-term follow-up, cost-effectiveness evaluation, and direct clinical comparisons are needed to clarify the practical value of robotic assistance.

Global research trends and thematic evolution in robotic microsurgery and supermicrosurgery: a bibliometric and visualisation study.

Global research trends and thematic evolution in robotic microsurgery and supermicrosurgery: a bibliometric and visualisation study.

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