Plastic and reconstructive surgical research in Australia and New Zealand: a bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Background: Bibliometrics is the analysis of research produced by individuals and institutions. While previous analyses have assessed sub-specialty fields, as well as contributions of individual countries to the plastic surgical literature, no bibliometric analyses to date have measured the contribution of plastic surgeons from Australia and New Zealand.Methods: Plastic surgery journals with the 15 highest impact factors were identified. Total publications in a ten-year period from October 2007 to September 2017 by Australian and New Zealand Plastic Surgeons were recorded, as were h-indices for all surgeons.Results: 588 articles were published by 498 surgeons, with the largest numbers in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (142), Burns (133), and the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (112). Mean h-index for Associate Professors was 9.29, and for Professors was 17.17.Conclusion: Australian and New Zealand plastic surgeons continue to be actively involved in world-class research and innovation. The volume and quantity of research produced supports the development of an Australasian Journal of Plastic Surgery.