Global research trends in minimally invasive treatments for kidney stones: A bibliometric analysis (2015-2024).

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The prevalence of kidney stone disease has been increasing globally, resulting in a rise in minimally invasive treatment methods. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), and endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS) have become standard procedures. This study aims to evaluate global publication trends in this field over the last decade. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection database. A total of 3,693 articles published between 2015 and 2024 were analyzed. VOSviewer and Bibliometrix R package were used for data visualization, which included co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence analysis, and thematic evolution mapping. However, this analysis did not differentiate between various author roles, which may have influenced the perceived scientific impact of certain researchers, potentially favoring those with strong political or organizational affiliations. China, Turkey, and the USA were the top contributors to publications, with the USA ranking first in total citations. The number of studies has significantly increased over the past decade, indicating a growing trend. The most studied procedures were PCNL and related techniques, followed by RIRS, which has become more popular due to advancements in laser technology and flexible ureteroscopy. Thematic analysis identified trends in postoperative outcomes, complication management, and predictive models for treatment success. Thematic evolution mapping showed a decline in SWL studies, but an increase in interest in ECIRS and multimodal approaches. Minimally invasive kidney stone treatments have advanced significantly, with PCNL remaining the gold standard for large stones and RIRS emerging as a competitive alternative. Future research should focus on optimizing surgical outcomes, integrating AI-based decision support systems, and expanding international collaborations to enhance patient care.