Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL): A Bibliometric Analysis of Publication Trends.

[BACKGROUND] Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has become a significant concern in plastic surgery, particularly following the 2019 recall of Allergan macro-textured implants. While research has addressed its epidemiology and management, a comprehensive analysis of global publication trends is lacking. This study provides a bibliometric evaluation of the scientific literature on BIA-ALCL, identifying key contributors, research trends, and emerging areas of interest.

[METHODS] A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection to retrieve English-languagepublications on BIA-ALCL from 1995 to 2024. Bibliometric indicators, including publication trends, authorship, country contributions, institutional affiliations, and citation impact, were analyzed. VOSviewer 1.6.20 was used for keyword co-occurrence and cluster analyses.

[RESULTS] A total of 1,148 publications were identified, with a sharp increase after 2018. The United States contributed the most research (43.81%), followed by Italy, England, Australia, and Brazil. Cluster analysis revealed four thematic areas: clinical presentation and risk factors, diagnostic strategies, epidemiology and treatment, and etiological hypotheses. The most cited article was Keech et al. (1997), documenting an early case of BIA-ALCL.

[CONCLUSIONS] This bibliometric analysis highlights the increasing research focus on implant surface characterization, disease etiology, and patient management. These findings provide valuable insights into the evolution of BIA-ALCL literature and may inform future research and clinical decision-making in plastic surgery.

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