Mustafa İŞLEYEN, Asenur AYDEMİR
Cyprus Journal of Medical Sciences - 2026;11(5):384-392
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), introduced in the early 1990s, has become a cornerstone of minimally invasive management for TMJ internal derangements; however, the scientific structure and evolution of research in this field have not been comprehensively evaluated. This study aimed to analyze the scientific development, research trends, and collaborative patterns in TMJ arthrocentesis using bibliometric methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 581 publications (1989-2024) were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analyses were performed using biblioshiny to evaluate publication trends, citation performance, leading authors, institutions, and journals. VOSviewer was employed to visualize author, institutional, and country collaboration networks, as well as article co-citation structures and keyword co-occurrence patterns, allowing the identification of influential research clusters and thematic evolution. RESULTS: The United States and the Karolinska Institute demonstrated the highest contributions at the national and institutional levels, respectively. Manfredini D. and Guarda-Nardini L. were the most prolific authors, with the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as the primary publication venue. Common keywords included "arthrocentesis", "temporomandibular joint", and "temporomandibular joint disorders". Bibliometric mapping revealed a temporal shift in thematic trends: whereas initial terms focused on mechanical concepts, regenerative agents such as "platelet-rich plasma" and "hyaluronic acid" showed increased co-occurrence density after 2020. CONCLUSION: Current trends indicate that arthrocentesis is evolving from a traditional irrigation-based technique into a regenerative therapeutic modality. This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of influential contributors, emerging topics, and evolving themes, offering guidance for clinicians and researchers seeking to advance the field.
