Spinal Enfeksiyonlarda Küresel Araştırma Eğilimleri: Kapsamlı Bir Bibliyometrik Analiz (1981–2025)

Öz

Amaç: 1981–2025 yılları arasında yayımlanan spinal enfeksiyon literatüründe küresel araştırma eğilimlerini, tematik evrimi, etkili yayınları ve ülke ile kurum düzeyindeki üretkenliği değerlendirmek. Gereç ve Yöntem: Yayınlar Web of Science Core Collection (SCI-E ve ESCI) veritabanında başlık temelli (TI) arama stratejisi kullanılarak belirlendi. Yıllık yayın eğilimleri, ülkelerin ve kurumların katkıları, araştırma alanları ve en çok atıf alan ilk 100 makalenin tematik sınıflandırması analiz edildi. Tanımlayıcı bibliyometrik analizler standart araçlarla görselleştirildi ve alanın entelektüel yapısı ile zamansal evrimini incelemek amacıyla ağ tabanlı haritalama yapıldı. Yüksek etkili çalışmalar içerik ve tematik odak açısından ayrıca değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Toplam 2.174 makale dahil edilme kriterlerini karşıladı. Yayın sayısı 2000 sonrası ve özellikle 2015’ten sonra belirgin artış gösterdi. Amerika Birleşik Devletleri en üretken ülke (596 makale, %27), University of California System ise en üretken kurumdu. Spine (n=156) ve European Spine Journal (n=111) en sık yayın yapılan dergilerdi. Makaleler ağırlıklı olarak ortopedi, beyin cerrahisi/nöroloji ve enfeksiyon hastalıkları alanlarında sınıflandırıldı. İlk 100 analizinde postoperatif enfeksiyonlar, risk faktörleri, spinal epidural apseler ve kılavuz niteliğindeki çalışmalar öne çıktı. Tematik evrim 1980–2000 döneminde patojen odaklı çalışmalardan (tüberküloz, bruselloz), 2000–2010’da postoperatif enfeksiyonlara ve 2010 sonrası minimal invaziv cerrahi, antibiyotik stratejileri ve fonksiyonel sonuçlara doğru bir geçiş göstermiştir. Sonuç: Son 45 yılda literatür küçük olgu serilerinden cerrahi komplikasyonlar, minimal invaziv teknikler ve fonksiyonel sonuçlara odaklanan çalışmalara evrilmiştir. Araştırma üretimi ABD ve Doğu Asya’da yoğunlaşmakla birlikte Türkiye özellikle tüberküloz ve brusellar spondilodiskit alanında önemli katkılar sunmuştur. Gelecekte minimal invaziv cerrahinin uzun dönem sonuçlarına ve antibiyotik ile implant koruyucu stratejilerin optimizasyonuna odaklanılmalıdır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Spinal Enfeksiyon
• Vertebral Osteomyelit
• Spondilodiskit
• Epidural Abse
• Bibliometrik Analiz
• Web of Science

Global Research Trends in Spinal Infections: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis (1981–2025)

Öz

Objective: To evaluate global research trends, thematic evolution, influential publications, and country- and institution-level productivity in spinal infection literature published between 1981 and 2025. Materials and Methods: Publications were identified using a title-based (TI) search in the Web of Science Core Collection (SCI-E and ESCI). Annual publication trends, contributions of countries and institutions, research areas, and thematic classification of the top 100 most cited articles were analyzed. Descriptive bibliometric analyses were visualized using standard tools, and network-based mapping was performed to explore the intellectual structure and temporal evolution of the field. High-impact studies were further assessed for content and thematic focus. Results: A total of 2,174 articles met the inclusion criteria. Publication output increased markedly after 2000 and again after 2015. The United States was the most productive country (596 articles, 27%), and the University of California System was the leading institution. Spine (n=156) and European Spine Journal (n=111) were the most frequent publishing journals. Articles were primarily classified under orthopedics, neurosurgery/neurology, and infectious diseases. In the Top-100 analysis, postoperative infections, risk factors, spinal epidural abscesses, and guideline papers predominated. Thematic evolution demonstrated a transition from pathogen-focused studies (tuberculosis, brucellosis) between 1980 and 2000 to postoperative infections between 2000 and 2010 and, after 2010, to minimally invasive surgery, antibiotic strategies, and functional outcomes. Conclusion: Over 45 years, the literature evolved from small case series to studies emphasizing surgical complications, minimally invasive techniques, and functional outcomes. Although research output is concentrated in the United States and East Asia, Türkiye has contributed notably, particularly in tuberculous and brucellar spondylodiscitis. Future research should prioritize long-term outcomes of minimally invasive surgery and optimization of antibiotic and implant-preserving strategies.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Spinal Infection
• Vertebral Osteomyelitis
• Spondylodiscitis
• Epidural Abscess
• Bibliometric Analysis
• Web of Science

Kaynakça

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