Abstract
Introduction
The orthoplastic approach to reconstruction incorporates multidisciplinary collaboration and principles from both orthopedic and plastic surgery in the management of complex limb trauma and oncologic defects. This integrated approach has been shown to improve clinical outcomes. Although research on orthoplastic surgery has increased substantially, there remains a need for a comprehensive characterization of publication trends, thematic focus areas, and gaps within the literature.
Main Body
Articles detailing the orthoplastic approach were analyzed from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database from 1993 to 2026. We assessed publication trends, citation analysis, co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrence mapping.
A total of 279 publications were identified. Annual publication output increased from 7 articles in 2018 to 45 in 2025, demonstrating substantial growth in orthoplastic research. The most productive countries were the United Kingdom and the United States, while the leading institutions included Southmead Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania. The most prominent authors were L. Scott Levin, Khan U, and Kovach SJ.
Keyword analysis revealed several major research clusters, including management, limb salvage, trauma, and microsurgery. Additionally, citation burst analysis identified emerging areas of interest, particularly in pressure wound therapy and microsurgery.
Conclusion
Orthoplastic surgery has experienced substantial growth since its inception, with research increasingly shifting from technical reconstructive considerations toward multidisciplinary care pathways, limb salvage, functional outcomes, and patient-centered management. Despite continued reliance on a core group of foundational publications, opportunities remain to strengthen international collaboration and expand the evidence base through prospective, multicenter investigations.