Ultrasonography in Anesthesiology: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Most Cited Articles

Abstract

Aim: Ultrasonography (USG) has become a critical tool in anesthesiology, enhancing the safety and efficacy of nerve blocks, vascular interventions, and perioperative procedures. This study aims to perform a bibliometric analysis of the most cited articles on USG use in anesthesiology to identify trends and impactful research. Materials and Methods: A bibliometric, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted using the Scopus database. The search terms “ultrasonography and anesthesiology” yielded 704 articles. After excluding reviews, letters, editorials, notes, conference papers, book chapters, and retracted papers, 337 original research articles remained. These were ranked by citation count and analyzed. Data collected included the first author, publication year, article title, journal title, main subject, academic specialization of the first author, institution, country of origin, and citation information. The median number of citations per year and journal impact factors were calculated. Results: The median number of citations for the 100 most cited articles was 18. The most cited article, authored by Ramsing D., received 91 citations. Anesthesiologists authored 78% of these top-cited articles. The primary focus areas included peripheral nerve blocks, central nerve blocks, and catheterization. The median number of citations per year was 2.85. Conclusion: The increasing use of USG in anesthesiology is reflected in the high citation rates of related studies, most of which were published in reputable journals. This trend underscores the importance of USG in enhancing clinical practice and the influence of robust financial and technical support on research impact.