Bibliometric analysis of the classic cited papers in the American Journal of Surgery: Citation recapitulates surgical history

BACKGROUND

We performed a bibliometric analysis of the American Journal of Surgery (AJS) to identify, characterize and place within a historical context, its published classic cited papers (CCPs).

METHODS

Bibliometric data from papers published in the AJS between January 1, 1945, and December 31, 2021 was extracted from the Web of Science database. Analysis was performed utilizing Bibliometrix and VOSViewer software.

RESULTS

27,070 papers were published in the AJS over the study period. There were 16 CCPs, including 5 Top CCPs, identified. Review of the Top CCPs reveals that they are based on careful clinical observations, innovation and generally build on prior published work. Top CCPs usually are specific to a particular diagnosis or a commonly performed procedure, as such papers frequently present a scoring or classification system, or important details related to new operative approaches or techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

Bibliometric study of the AJS has allowed for identification, characterization and appreciation of many of the key changes that have occurred in the discipline throughout the history of modern surgery.

Franklin Mall, the first basic scientist of pediatric surgery

Franklin Mall (1862-1917) made fundamental discoveries in the embryology of malrotation and the development of the diaphragm, pathological conditions basic to pediatric surgery. As the inaugural professor of anatomy at the new Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine when it opened in 1893, Mall was among the first fulltime researchers in basic medical science in American medical schools, a new role that came to characterize the modern academic medical center.

Surgical history of Hirschsprung disease

Harald Hirschsprung presented the first comprehensive and detailed description of clinical outcomes in patients with congenital megacolon. In the century following his discovery, we have seen realization of the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of Hirschsprung disease. In this article we describe the surgical management of Hirschsprung disease starting with Orvar Swenson, who pioneered the field with the first full thickness transrectal dissection followed by several additional innovative surgeons who have contributed to the modifications that have brought us to the modern surgical management of Hirschsprung Disease.

The first board examination in pediatric surgery

The inaugural certifying examination for special competence in pediatric surgery in North America was given by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) in April 1975, the day before the sixth meeting of the American Pediatric Surgical Association at a resort near San Juan, PR. The event came after failed applications before the ABS and the Advisory Board for Medical Specialties in 1957, 1961, and 1967. The specialty had matured with a scholarly publication devoted to the field (Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 1965), the establishment of standards for training and training programs (1966), and a society independent of pediatrics and devoted solely to pediatric surgery (American Pediatric Surgical Association, first meeting 1970). Harvey Beardmore had guided the successful campaign for a certificate for pediatric surgery under the aegis of the ABS that was approved in June 1972. Pediatric surgery had thus gained full recognition as a specialty of surgery. A group photograph of its participants became one of the iconic images in our specialty. Thanks to Jim and Nancy Hopkins of Windsor Heights, IA, and to their many friends and colleagues, nearly half (71 of 151) of the pediatric surgeons in the photo were identified, marking their places in the history of pediatric surgery.

Jan Hendrik Louw and intestinal atresia - a personal quest in pediatric surgery

Jan Hendrik Louw (1915-1992), considered the father of pediatric surgery in South Africa, gained prominence for his work on congenital intestinal atresia, a condition that had a mortality as high as 75 percent. His hypothesis, that jejunoileal atresia arose from mesenteric circulatory accidents in utero, was the dominant view until recent research uncovered the involvement of genetic and embryological mechanisms. In the mid-1950s he was one of a number of surgeons to resect the enlarged bulbous segment proximal to the site of the atresia, a crucial step in the surgical approach to intestinal atresia that brought mortality below 10 percent. A world leader in surgery as chair of surgery at the Groote Schur Hospital in Cape Town for more than a quarter century, his work in surgical research took root from his private tragedy early in his career of the death of his own infant son of intestinal atresia, a condition to which he would contribute so much.

Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB): A Legacy of Innovation, Education, and Contributions

Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) represents a transformative enterprise whose origins lie in local practice and education in a Southern state with a challenging history, transformed by the visions of a few to become a dominant force in the historical fabric of regional, national, and international cardiothoracic surgery. Throughout its history, numerous individuals have participated in important innovations, education, and contributions to a consistent theme of surgical excellence. This review will recapitulate a sample of relevant historical events and the impact of the leaders of cardiothoracic surgery at UAB.

Lloyd Nyhus and Rene Stoppa: preperitoneal inguinal pioneers

A brief history of the seminal contributions of Stoppa and Nyhus to inguinal hernia surgery.

Pure laparoscopic hepatectomy as repeat surgery and repeat hepatectomy

AIM: To assess clinical outcomes of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) in patients with a history of upper abdominal surgery and repeat hepatectomy.

METHODS: This study compared the perioperative courses of patients receiving LH at our institution that had or had not previously undergone upper abdominal surgery. Of the 80 patients who underwent LH, 22 had prior abdominal surgeries, including hepatectomy (n = 12), pancreatectomy (n = 3), cholecystectomy and common bile duct excision (n = 1), splenectomy (n = 1), total gastrectomy (n = 1), colectomy with the involvement of transverse colon (n = 3), and extended hysterectomy with extensive lymph-node dissection up to the upper abdomen (n = 1). Clinical indicators including operating time, blood loss, hospital stay, and morbidity were compared among the groups.

RESULTS: Eighteen of the 22 patients who had undergone previous surgery had severe adhesions in the area around the liver. However, there were no conversions to laparotomy in this group. In the 58 patients without a history of upper abdominal surgery, the median operative time was 301 min and blood loss was 150 mL. In patients with upper abdominal surgical history or repeat hepatectomy, the operative times were 351 and 301 min, and blood loss was 100 and 50 mL, respectively. The median postoperative stay was 17, 13 and 12 d for patients with no history of upper abdominal surgery, patients with a history, and patients with repeat hepatectomy, respectively. There were five cases with complications in the group with no surgical history, compared to only one case in the group with a prior history. There were no statistically significant differences in the perioperative results between the groups with and without upper abdominal surgical history, or with repeat hepatectomy.

CONCLUSION: LH is feasible and safe in patients with a history of upper abdominal surgery or repeat hepatectomy.

The way we were: surgical practice at the dawn of the North Pacific Surgical Association

The North Pacific Surgical Association Historian's centennial lecture, with review of the geographic challenges for members of this society at the time of its founding and selected insights into surgical practices and philosophies of a century ago.

[Beginnings of bariatric and metabolic surgery in Spain]

When bariatric and metabolic surgery initially began in Spain, it was a subject of debate, due to not knowing exactly who were the first surgeons to perform it. A study has revealed the authors of the first interventions.