Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 100 Most Cited Papers in Mohs Surgery

Cureus. 2024 Jun 16;16(6):e62488. doi: 10.7759/cureus.62488. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized tissue-sparing technique used to treat skin cancers.

Objective: By understanding the attributes that make a research paper one of the top 100 cited papers on Mohs surgery, we hope to illuminate seminal research in this field.

Methods and materials: The global literature about Mohs surgery published between 1900 and 2023 was searched on the Web of Science. Publication data for all results meeting the search criteria were exported and analyzed.

Results: In total, 4,961 publications with 81,405 citations were identified. Dermatologic Surgery was the most cited journal, with 1,073 publications. Papers from the top 100 most cited that were published in the year 2000 or prior had an average of 22.1 citations in the first five years after publication, whereas papers published after 2001 had an average of 56.0 citations in the first five years.

Conclusion: Analysis of the most cited papers on Mohs surgery demonstrates the influential role of the Dermatological Surgery journal in advancing the field. Noteworthy studies addressing cost, safety, and efficacy have received substantial citations, reflecting their significance within the literature. A trend toward more citation in the first five years after publication over time was identified.

Keywords: carcinoma; melanoma; mohs; mohs surgery; oncology.