Exploring the Development and Future Directions of Facial Bone Contouring: A Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis From 2005 to 2025.

Abstract

The study aims to evaluate the global research landscape of facial bone contouring to identify current hotspots and future research directions. Data were extracted from Web of Science Core Collection and analyzed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and ArcGIS for bibliometric visualization, including annual publication trends, journals, authors, institutions, countries, and keywords. This bibliometric analysis examined 936 publications (2005-2025), showing consistent growth in publications. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery contributed the highest publication volume, while Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery exhibited the highest citation impact per article. China led in publication volume, followed by the US and South Korea. The top 5 research institutions were concentrated in China and South Korea, with Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College ranking first. Among authors, Gui Lai is the most productive, whereas Hu Jing received the highest citations per article. Keyword timezone analysis revealed 3 distinct research phases: technical foundation (2005-2011), technical refinement (2012-2017), and digitalization and interdisciplinary integration (2018-present). Facial bone contouring has become an increasingly popular area in plastic surgery. Bibliometric analysis reveals China, the US, and South Korea as the predominant contributors to this field. Current research hotspots include digital surgical techniques and facial gender-affirming surgery, while future directions should emphasize long-term outcome studies, international multicenter collaborations, and the integration of artificial intelligence with advanced biomaterials to drive innovation in surgical techniques and outcomes.