Global research trends in ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament: a bibliometric and visualization study

Abstract

Objective: The study of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is attracting increasing attention. This study aims to investigate the global status and trends in this field. Methods: The Web of Science-Science Citation Index Expanded searched the number of publications published by OPLL from January 1, 1900 to March 1, 2023. Source data were studied and indexed using bibliometric methods. For visualization studies, use VOSviewer version 1.6.19 software for co-authorship, co-occurrence analysis, bibliographic coupling and co-citation analysis, and analyze the overall trend of OPLL research in recent years. Results: A total of 1863 articles were found. The number of research and publications on OPLL worldwide is increasing every year. Japan has the highest contribution to global research in this area of OPLL, with the most citations and the highest H-Index. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and Springer Nature had the highest number of publications. The Naval Medical University, Hirosaki University, Tokyo Medical Dental University, and Nagoya University are the four institutions that contribute the most. Research can be divided into three broad categories: mechanistic research, clinical research, and tissue engineering. Clinical research is predicted as the next hot topic in the field. Conclusion: Based on current global research trends, the number of OPLL-related publications is expected to increase. Japan is currently the largest contributor to research in this field. Most of the research work will focus on clinical studies such as laminoplasty for OPLL, which may be the next hot spot in OPLL research.