Endoscopic spine surgery: a bibliometric and citation analysis of the most influential articles and authors across 19 spine journals (1976-2025).

Abstract

To understand the development and trajectory of endoscopic spine surgery. The Web of Science Core Collection was searched for full-endoscopic and microendoscopic spine surgery articles published in 19 spine-related journals. Citation analysis identified top authors (first, last, and any position) and top cited articles. Study characteristics were reviewed, examining article type, level of evidence (LoE), topic, and country of origin. 330 articles were identified, all published within the last 35 years. For the most frequently cited authors across all cohorts, a majority were affiliated with institutions in South Korea. Of the top 20 cited articles of all time, 55% were case series/case reports and 25% were randomized controlled trials, with 60% of studies having a LoE of IV. In the last decade (2014-2024), 30% of the top cited studies were case series/case reports, 25% were randomized controlled trials and 20% were systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Among these works, China (40%) and South Korea (25%) contributed the largest share of recent high-impact studies. Similarly, a large portion (35%) of the top articles of all time were associated with South Korean institutions. This bibliometric analysis highlighted the rapid advancement of the field of endoscopic spine surgery and highly cited authors who have been prominent within this field. This work particularly underscores a growing international focus on minimally invasive spinal techniques and the need for continued high-quality comparative studies.