There is currently no bibliometric analysis available regarding pain management (PM). The aim of this study was to monitor the advancement of the PM research field, demonstrate global productivity, identify the most highly cited studies, delineate collaborations between research areas and countries, and uncover new research topics and intriguing trends. A total of 16,216 articles on the subject of PM published between 1980 and 2023 were downloaded from the Web of Science database and analyzed using various bibliometric analysis methods. Trend keyword analysis, thematic evolution analysis, conceptual structure analysis, factor analysis, citation and co-citation analyses, and international collaboration analyses were conducted. The top 3 most active countries were the United States of America (n = 4021), the United Kingdom (n = 791), and Canada (n = 602). The most prolific author was Christine Miaskowski (n = 47). The most researched topics from the past to the present were chronic pain, opioids, analgesia/analgesics, cancer pain, postoperative pain, low back pain, opioid, cancer, acute pain, and self-management. Factor analysis identified key topics such as analgesia and various types of pain in the central factor, with additional subfactors including low back pain and physiotherapy, nursing, and postoperative anxiety and depression. In recent years, starting in 2020, trending research topics have shifted towards e-health, telemedicine, virtual reality, digital health, mental health, peripheral nerve blocks, erector spinae plane blocks, quadratus lumborum blocks, opioid use disorder, buprenorphine, musculoskeletal pain, COVID-19, cervicalgia, and interprofessional collaboration. In addition to Western countries with major economies in the field of PM (USA, Canada, Australia, and European countries), we identified China, India, and Turkey as research leaders. Our bibliometric analysis of 10,566 articles on PM reveals a significant growth in research, with recent trends focusing on e-health, telemedicine, virtual reality, and peripheral nerve blocks. These emerging technologies and personalized treatment approaches are shaping the future of PM.

Yeliz Şahiner, Özgür Yağan, Arzu Akdağlı Ekici, Musa Ekici, and Emre Demir. Korean J Pain 2020;33:176-82. https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2020.33.2.176

Surgical treatment of pediatric kidney stones has dramatically changed in recent years due to the miniaturization of surgical instruments and the availability of intracorporeal lithotriptors. Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) technique is now considered an effective and minimally invasive procedure in renal stones. However, in the pediatric age group, the number of studies on this subject is very limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the RIRS in the treatment of kidney stones in children. The data of 25 pediatric stone patients who underwent RIRS with the diagnosis of kidney stones were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, operative data, and success rates of the patients were recorded. Fourteen (56%) of the cases were male and 11 (46%) were female. The mean age was 10.43 ± 4.26 (3-15) in boys and 10.18 ± 4.92 (4-16) in girls. Eleven stones (46%) were in the left kidney and 14 (56%) in the right kidney. The mean stone size was 10.08 ± 4.33 mm (4-23). Stone localizations were renal pelvis in 15 (60%) cases, upper calyx in four (16%) cases, middle calyx in five (20%) cases, and lower calyx in one (4%) case. The mean operation time was 41.20 ± 6.96 minutes (30-60), the mean duration of scope was 17.40 ± 3.85 seconds (10-30), and the mean hospital stay was 2.32 ± 0.63 days (2-4). Three patients (12%) had undergone percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and two (8%) patients underwent shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) before this surgery. In six (24%) patients, a double J (DJ) catheter was inserted due to stenosis at the lower end of the ureter. Body mass index (BMI) of these patients was below 18. An access sheath was implanted in six (24%) patients in the second operation. In 18 cases, the first operation was performed with a direct flexible renoscope. In all cases, a postoperative DJ catheter was inserted. Postoperative fever was observed in one (4%) patient, and ureteric steinstrasse was observed in one (4%) patient. The stone-free rate was achieved as 17% (68%) after the first operation and 100% after the second RIRS session. RIRS appears to be an effective and reliable method in the pediatric age group. However, there is a need for multicentre studies involving more cases.

In patients undergoing surgery due to diabetic foot complications from uncontrolled diabetes may lead to neuraxial or general anesthesia-related issues. Regional anesthesia techniques can be preferred to prevent these complications. This study aimed to compare the hemodynamic effects and outcomes in terms of pain of continuous infusion and single injection methods of popliteal nerve block in patients undergoing surgery due to diabetic foot. Sixty-three patients in ASA II-IV risk group scheduled for diabetic foot surgery were randomized into two groups for popliteal nerve block as the anesthesia method. Group 1 (n:32), 30 mL of local anesthetic was administered around the popliteal nerve under ultrasound guidance and nerve stimulator. Group 2 (n:31) had a catheter placed beyond the needle tip by 4-5 cm. An elastomeric pump was prepared for the infusion of 2 mL/h of 0.25 % bupivacaine through the catheter. Hemodynamic parameters before and after the block, onset, block duration times, postoperative pain scores, time to analgesic requirement, patient satisfaction, and discharge time were recorded. Pain scores were higher in Group 1 after 12 h postoperatively and in Group 2 after 60 h postoperatively (p = 0.006, p < 0.01, respectively). The time to the first analgesic requirement was not statistically different between Group 1 (mean 804.64 ± 1020.8 min) and Group 2 (mean 2012.78 ± 1424 min) (p = 0.072). There was no significant difference in systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure, and heart rate between groups before and after successful blockade (p > 0.05). Continuous infusion method of popliteal nerve block provides a longer pain-free period. Both methods showed similar hemodynamic data and low pain scores. Although continuous infusion method provides better analgesia, its procedural cost, technical difficulties, and adverse effects on patient comfort should also be considered.

The literature study was conducted by using the Web of Science (WoS) database, employing bibliometric analysis to examine all papers released from 1980 to 2020. The search was performed using the terms “sepsis, septicemia, septic shock” specifically within the titles of the publications. The findings of the literature research revealed a total of 51,725 articles. Out of the total number of publications, 26,896 articles were identified, accounting for 51.9% of the total. The bibliometric study revealed that the United States had the largest number of papers (8693), followed by China (2807), Germany (2299), France (1606), and the United Kingdom (1932). The writers that exhibited the most prolific output in terms of article production on the topic of sepsis were Vincent, with a total of 217 articles, followed by Wang P with 154 articles, and Chaudry IH with 126 articles. The University of Pittsburgh, Brown University, and the University of Michigan were identified as the most productive universities, in that order. The findings from the prediction model revealed that the projected number of articles to be published in 2021 is estimated to be 2086, while the projected number for 2030 is estimated to be 2637. The literature has predominantly focused on disease markers and diagnostic methods, severity and effects of the disease, immunity and inflammation, effects of the disease in neonates and the neonatal period, and treatment and care. According to trend analysis results, recent focus in sepsis research includes a broad spectrum of investigations such as mortality rates, prognostic determinants, diagnostic methods, biomarkers, epidemiological insights, critical care strategies, infections, treatment outcomes, emergency department scenarios, pediatric assessments, and antibiotic interventions.