Innovations in Hemorrhoid Treatment: A Bibliometric Review of Laser, Stapled, and Doppler-Guided Techniques

Background. Over the past decade, innovations in haemorrhoid surgery particularly laser haemorrhoidoplasty, stapled haemorrhoidopexy, and Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation (DG-HAL) have gained increasing attention due to their potential to reduce postoperative pain, recurrence, and improve patient quality of life. Despite this progress, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the global research trends in these techniques has not yet been conducted.

Aim: to analyse the global scientific literature on innovative haemorrhoid treatments from 2015 to 2025 using bibliometric methods, and to identify key trends in authorship, institutional and geographic contributions, citation impact, and thematic evolution.

Methods. A bibliometric search was conducted using the Scopus database for publications between 2015 and 2025. The search included terms related to “laser haemorrhoidoplasty”, “stapled haemorrhoidopexy”, and “Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation”. Data were exported, cleaned, and analysed using Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer (v. 1.6.19). Co-authorship networks, country collaborations, keyword co-occurrence, citation density, and institutional productivity were visualised and interpreted.

Results. A total of 273 articles were identified. Publication output increased steadily, peaking in 2021. Italy emerged as the leading contributor in terms of publications and international collaborations. Most cited articles focused on clinical guidelines and randomised trials comparing innovative with conventional techniques. Keyword analysis revealed a shift from traditional surgery towards minimally invasive procedures, with increasing focus on patient-centered outcomes such as pain and quality of life.

Conclusion. There has been significant global academic interest in innovative haemorrhoid treatments over the past decade, with laser and Doppler-guided methods gaining prominence. Research is concentrated in high-income countries, particularly Italy, with limited representation from low- and middle-income countries. Future studies should address global equity, long-term outcomes, and cost-effectiveness through broader collaborations and implementation science.

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