AB256. SOH26AB_0314. Tibial shaft fractures: a bibliometric analysis of the top 50 most cited publications

Background: Tibial shaft fractures (TSFs) are a frequent presentation within orthopaedics following a high-energy trauma. The appropriate management of these fractures is crucial, ensuring patients have the best chance at achieving a functional recovery. In spite of the vast number of studies conducted on TSFs, the quality of scientific evidence and various trends related to this injury remain poor. The aim of our analysis is to identify these trends within the 50 most cited publications pertaining to TSFs.

Methods: A bibliometric analysis was carried out to report the 50 most cited publications associated with TSFs. The publications were screened using definite inclusion and exclusion criteria. Features such as institution, authorship, level of evidence, and patient demographics were reported.

Results: The 50 most cited publications in total listed 10,407 citations, with the most cited study receiving 1,075 citations. Treatment outcomes (66%) and surgical technique (32%) were the primary focus of the majority of the publications. Retrospective cohort and case control studies made up almost half of the studies (48%), many being of level 3 evidence.

Conclusions: Many publications exist related to TSFs, primarily focusing on treatment outcomes and how to minimise the incidence of non-union following surgical fixation. However, a significant number of the publications were of low evidence and were identified as being retrospective in nature. Following this analysis, future research should aim to produce studies of a higher quality and focus on areas that carry the most promise or influence.

Keywords: Bibliometric analysis; surgical fixation; tibial shaft fractures (TSFs); treatment outcomes; trauma