Available online 6 February 2024

The bibliometric method was used to present the status of drugs to improve skin flap survival.

Research hotspots and future direction of drugs to improve skin flap survival was discussed.

Major mechanisms that influence skin flap survival were systematically overviewed.

Skin flaps are frequently employed in plastic and reconstructive surgery to address tissue defects. However, their low survival rates remain a challenge, attributed to vascular crisis and necrosis. Despite numerous studies investigating drugs to alleviate flap necrosis, a comprehensive analysis of the research trend in this critical area is lacking. To gain a deeper understanding of the current status, research focal points, and future trends in drugs aimed at enhancing flap survival, a thorough retrospective analysis is imperative. This study aims to employ bibliometric methods to scrutinize the evolution, mechanisms, and forthcoming trends of drugs targeting flap survival improvement. Using VOSviewer software, we quantitatively and visually depict 1) annual temporal trends in the number of documents and citations; 2) national/regional publications and their collaborations; 3) institutional and authors’ contribution; 4) journal contribution and relevance; and 5) analysis of research hotspots and directions derived from keywords. Ultimately, we discussed the prospects and challenges of future advances and clinical translation of drugs designed to enhance skin flap survival. In conclusion, the field of pharmacology dedicated to improving skin flap survival is expanding, and this study aims to offer a fresh perspective to promote the advancement and clinical application of such drugs.

Skin flap

Drug therapy

Bibliometric analysis

Global trends

© 2024 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Xi’an Jiaotong University.