Application of 3-Dimensional Printing in Brain Surgery From 2015 to 2024: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Objective: This study uses bibliometric analysis and knowledge mapping methods to systematically explore the emerging research frontiers and development trajectories of 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology in the application of brain surgery, and provides new clues and research directions for future research by exploring hotspots and new topics.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted through the Scientific Citation Index Core Collection (WoSCC) database on March 21, 2025 to identify relevant articles and reviews published between January 2015 and December 2024 on the application of 3D printing technology in brain surgery. For data analysis and visualization, we used CiteSpace and VOSviewer software to conduct rigorous bibliometric analysis and build knowledge domain maps.

Results: The authors' analysis covered 2982 papers contributed by 5550 authors from 1174 institutions in 90 regions, published in 236 journals. The authors have observed a steady increase in the number of publications annually, with Europe, Asia, North America, and Oceania leading the way in research output. The United States is in a leading position in research in this field. The University of London became the leading research institution in this field. The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery has made significant contributions to this field, with Tillinger Florian M being the most published and cited author. The most influential research hotspots focus on virtual surgical planning, tissue engineering, 3D printing and finite element analysis. The latest hotspots and research frontiers include 3D printing, augmented reality and reconstructive surgery.

Conclusions: 3D printing technology has made significant progress in the field of brain surgery and has become a research frontier for continuous development in the field of medical innovation.