Global research landscape of 3D printing and patient-specific instrumentation in musculoskeletal tumor resection: Trends from a Scopus-based bibliometric analysis (2010-2026).

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing and patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) have increasingly influenced musculoskeletal oncology by supporting precision tumor resection, personalized reconstruction, and limb-salvage surgery. Despite growing research output, the global scientific landscape, thematic evolution, and clinical translation of these technologies remain insufficiently characterized. This study uses a Scopus-based bibliometric analysis (2010-2026) to map research output, identify key themes, influential publications, leading institutions, and patterns of international collaboration. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using Scopus database and analyzed using VOSviewer and the Bibliometrix R-package (Biblioshiny). Performance analysis assessed publication outputs, leading authors, institutions, countries, and journals, while science mapping examined co-citation structures, keyword co-occurrence networks, and thematic evolution. A total of 493 articles were analyzed. The most-cited authors were LU M (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;43), WANG J (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;32), and ZHANG Y (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;31). Leading institutions were Sichuan University, China (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;68), Irccs Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Italy (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;19), and Mayo Clinic, USA (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;19). China (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;427), USA (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;228), and Italy (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;107) were the top contributing countries. The most frequent journals were <i>Frontiers in Oncology</i> (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;16), <i>BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders</i> (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;13), and <i>International Orthopaedics</i> (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;8). Early publications (2010-2016) showed high citations per article, reflecting foundational impact. From 2020 onward, research shifted toward disease-specific clinical applications, with emerging keywords such as osteosarcoma, reconstruction, and 3D-printed implants highlighting the growing focus on patient-specific surgical solutions. The global research landscape of 3D printing and Patient-Specific Instrumentation (PSI) in musculoskeletal oncology has evolved substantially over the past decade, with increasing emphasis on clinically applicable and patient-centered reconstructive strategies. Emerging trends indicate growing interest in customized implants, complex oncologic reconstruction, and precision-guided limb-salvage procedures. Future research should prioritize multicenter prospective studies, long-term functional and oncologic outcomes, and cost-effective technological innovations to facilitate broader clinical implementation and global accessibility.