Bibliometric analysis of scientific contributions in minimally invasive general surgery.

Publication of scientific articles in peer-reviewed medical journals is considered as a measure of research productivity. The aim of the present study was to quantify the research contributions of different countries in minimally invasive surgery and to critically discuss the results under the prism of recent socioeconomic developments. The electronical archives of 4 major surgical journals (Annals of Surgery, British Journal of Surgery, Journal of the American College of Surgeons, and Surgical Endoscopy) were searched between 2009 and 2012. Publications on minimally invasive general surgery were assessed according to the country. A total of 6595 records were identified; 2160 articles were related to minimally invasive surgery. The volume of publication activity was evenly distributed in North America (34%) and Europe (39%). The United States (31%), the United Kingdom (7.6%), and Japan (6.7%) were the most productive countries. When adjusted for country population, the Netherlands (7.7/10), Denmark (4.4/10), and Switzerland (4.1/10) occupied the highest ranks. Although the United States dominates in terms of absolute number of publications, several smaller countries were more prolific, when the number of inhabitants was taken into account. The recent financial crisis is expected to undermine international collaborative conditions in the field of minimally invasive surgery. The need for a stepped-up international scientific collaboration is hereto highlighted.