Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.5999/aps.2015.42.4.411

Levels of Evidence in the Plastic Surgery Literature: A Citation Analysis of the Top 50 'Classic' Papers  

Joyce, Kenneth M (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Galway University Hospital)
Joyce, Cormac W (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Galway University Hospital)
Kelly, John C (Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Vincent's University Hospital)
Kelly, Jack L (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Galway University Hospital)
Carroll, Sean M (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, St. Vincent's University Hospital)
Publication Information
Archives of Plastic Surgery / v.42, no.4, 2015 , pp. 411-418 More about this Journal
Abstract
Background The plastic surgery literature is vast, consisting of a plethora of diverse articles written by a myriad of illustrious authors. Despite this considerable archive of published material, it remains nebulous as to which precise papers have had the greatest impact on our specialty. The aim of this study was to identify the most cited papers in the plastic surgery literature and perform a citation analysis paying particular attention to the evidence levels of the clinical studies. Methods We identified the 50 most cited papers published in the 20 highest impact plastic surgery journals through the Web of Science. The articles were ranked in order of number of citations acquired and level of evidence assessed. Results The top 50 cited papers were published in six different journals between the years 1957 and 2007. Forty-two of the papers in the top 50 were considered as level IV or V evidence. No level I or II evidence was present in the top 50 list. The average level of evidence of the top 50 papers was 4.28. Conclusions In the plastic surgery literature, no positive correlation exists between a high number of citations and a high level of evidence. Anatomical reconstructive challenges tend to be the main focus of plastic surgery rather than pathologic diseases and consequently, papers with lower levels of evidence are relatively more valuable in plastic surgery than many other specialties.
Keywords
Bibliometrics; Classical article; Plastic surgery;
Citations & Related Records
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 Paladugu R, Schein M, Gardezi S, et al. One hundred citation classics in general surgical journals. World J Surg 2002;26: 1099-105.   DOI
2 Song YG, Chen GZ, Song YL. The free thigh flap: a new free flap concept based on the septocutaneous artery. Br J Plast Surg 1984;37:149-59.   DOI
3 Neumann CG. The expansion of an area of skin by progressive distention of a subcutaneous balloon; use of the method for securing skin for subtotal reconstruction of the ear. Plast Reconstr Surg (1946) 1957;19:124-30.   DOI
4 Kelly JC, Glynn RW, O'Briain DE, et al. The 100 classic papers of orthopaedic surgery: a bibliometric analysis. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2010;92:1338-43.
5 Mitz V, Peyronie M. The superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS) in the parotid and cheek area. Plast Reconstr Surg 1976;58:80-8.   DOI
6 Vacanti CA, Langer R, Schloo B, et al. Synthetic polymers seeded with chondrocytes provide a template for new cartilage formation. Plast Reconstr Surg 1991;88:753-9.   DOI
7 Rigotti G, Marchi A, Galie M, et al. Clinical treatment of radiotherapy tissue damage by lipoaspirate transplant: a healing process mediated by adipose-derived adult stem cells. Plast Reconstr Surg 2007;119:1409-22.   DOI
8 Taylor GI, Daniel RK. The free flap: composite tissue transfer by vascular anastomosis. Aust N Z J Surg 1973;43:1-3.   DOI
9 Sackett DL, Rosenberg WM, Gray JA, et al. Evidence based medicine: what it is and what it isn't. BMJ 1996;312:71-2.   DOI
10 Seglen PO. Why the impact factor of journals should not be used for evaluating research. BMJ 1997;314:498-502.   DOI
11 Heldwein FL, Rhoden EL, Morgentaler A. Classics of urology: a half century history of the most frequently cited articles (1955-2009). Urology 2010;75:1261-8.   DOI
12 Argenta LC, Morykwas MJ. Vacuum-assisted closure: a new method for wound control and treatment: clinical experience. Ann Plast Surg 1997;38:563-76.   DOI
13 Phillips B, Ball C, Sackett D, et al. Levels of evidence and grades of recommendation [Internet]. Oxford: Centre for Evidence Based Medicine; 2001 [cited 2015 May 10]. Available from: http://www.cebm.net/levels_of_evidence.asp.
14 Loonen MP, Hage JJ, Kon M. Value of citation numbers and impact factors for analysis of plastic surgery research. Plast Reconstr Surg 2007;120:2082-91.   DOI
15 Mulliken JB, Glowacki J. Hemangiomas and vascular malformations in infants and children: a classification based on endothelial characteristics. Plast Reconstr Surg 1982;69:412-22.   DOI
16 Morykwas MJ, Argenta LC, Shelton-Brown EI, et al. Vacuum-assisted closure: a new method for wound control and treatment: animal studies and basic foundation. Ann Plast Surg 1997;38:553-62.   DOI
17 McCarthy JG, Schreiber J, Karp N, et al. Lengthening the human mandible by gradual distraction. Plast Reconstr Surg 1992;89:1-8.   DOI
18 Branemark PI, Adell R, Breine U, et al. Intra-osseous anchorage of dental prostheses. I. Experimental studies. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg 1969;3:81-100.   DOI
19 Masquelet AC, Romana MC, Wolf G. Skin island flaps supplied by the vascular axis of the sensitive superficial nerves: anatomic study and clinical experience in the leg. Plast Reconstr Surg 1992;89:1115-21.   DOI
20 Taylor GI, Miller GD, Ham FJ. The free vascularized bone graft: a clinical extension of microvascular techniques. Plast Reconstr Surg 1975;55:533-44.   DOI
21 Hartrampf CR, Scheflan M, Black PW. Breast reconstruction with a transverse abdominal island flap. Plast Reconstr Surg 1982;69:216-25.   DOI
22 Godina M. Early microsurgical reconstruction of complex trauma of the extremities. Plast Reconstr Surg 1986;78:285-92.   DOI
23 Taylor GI, Palmer JH. The vascular territories (angiosomes) of the body: experimental study and clinical applications. Br J Plast Surg 1987;40:113-41.   DOI
24 Hidalgo DA. Fibula free flap: a new method of mandible reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 1989;84:71-9.   DOI
25 Ariyan S. The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap: a versatile flap for reconstruction in the head and neck. Plast Reconstr Surg 1979;63:73-81.   DOI
26 Dahlin C, Linde A, Gottlow J, et al. Healing of bone defects by guided tissue regeneration. Plast Reconstr Surg 1988;81: 672-6.   DOI
27 Bain JR, Mackinnon SE, Hunter DA. Functional evaluation of complete sciatic, peroneal, and posterior tibial nerve lesions in the rat. Plast Reconstr Surg 1989;83:129-38.   DOI
28 Bakamjian VY. A two-stage method for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction with a primary pectoral skin flap. Plast Reconstr Surg 1965;36:173-84.   DOI
29 Wei FC, Jain V, Celik N, et al. Have we found an ideal soft-tissue flap? An experience with 672 anterolateral thigh flaps. Plast Reconstr Surg 2002;109:2219-26.   DOI
30 Koshima I, Soeda S. Inferior epigastric artery skin flaps without rectus abdominis muscle. Br J Plast Surg 1989;42:645-8.   DOI
31 Allen RJ, Treece P. Deep inferior epigastric perforator flap for breast reconstruction. Ann Plast Surg 1994;32:32-8.   DOI
32 Ponten B. The fasciocutaneous flap: its use in soft tissue defects of the lower leg. Br J Plast Surg 1981;34:215-20.   DOI
33 Ramirez OM, Ruas E, Dellon AL. "Components separation" method for closure of abdominal-wall defects: an anatomic and clinical study. Plast Reconstr Surg 1990;86:519-26.   DOI
34 Soutar DS, Scheker LR, Tanner NS, et al. The radial forearm flap: a versatile method for intra-oral reconstruction. Br J Plast Surg 1983;36:1-8.
35 Radovan C. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy using the temporary expander. Plast Reconstr Surg 1982;69:195-208.   DOI
36 Caplan AI. The mesengenic process. Clin Plast Surg 1994; 21:429-35.
37 Zins JE, Whitaker LA. Membranous versus endochondral bone: implications for craniofacial reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 1983;72:778-85.   DOI
38 Cao Y, Vacanti JP, Paige KT, et al. Transplantation of chondrocytes utilizing a polymer-cell construct to produce tissue-engineered cartilage in the shape of a human ear. Plast Reconstr Surg 1997;100:297-302.   DOI
39 Mustoe TA, Cooter RD, Gold MH, et al. International clinical recommendations on scar management. Plast Reconstr Surg 2002;110:560-71.   DOI
40 Coleman SR. Facial recontouring with lipostructure. Clin Plast Surg 1997;24:347-67.
41 Daniel RK, Taylor GI. Distant transfer of an island flap by microvascular anastomoses: a clinical technique. Plast Reconstr Surg 1973;52:111-7.   DOI
42 Snyder CC, Levine GA, Swanson HM, et al. Mandibular lengthening by gradual distraction: preliminary report. Plast Reconstr Surg 1973;51:506-8.   DOI
43 Swartz WM, Banis JC, Newton ED, et al. The osteocutaneous scapular flap for mandibular and maxillary reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 1986;77:530-45.   DOI
44 Eppley BL, Woodell JE, Higgins J. Platelet quantification and growth factor analysis from platelet-rich plasma: implications for wound healing. Plast Reconstr Surg 2004;114:1502-8.
45 Muhlbauer W, Herndl E, Stock W. The forearm flap. Plast Reconstr Surg 1982;70:336-44.   DOI
46 Gray SW, Skandalakis J, Achauer BM. Embryology for surgeons. Plast Reconstr Surg 1980;65:528.
47 Laurie SW, Kaban LB, Mulliken JB, et al. Donor-site morbidity after harvesting rib and iliac bone. Plast Reconstr Surg 1984;73:933-8.   DOI
48 Illouz YG. Body contouring by lipolysis: a 5-year experience with over 3000 cases. Plast Reconstr Surg 1983;72:591-7.   DOI
49 McGregor IA, Jackson IT. The groin flap. Br J Plast Surg 1972; 25:3-16.   DOI
50 Molina F, Ortiz Monasterio F. Mandibular elongation and remodeling by distraction: a farewell to major osteotomies. Plast Reconstr Surg 1995;96:825-40.   DOI
51 Niessen FB, Spauwen PH, Schalkwijk J, et al. On the nature of hypertrophic scars and keloids: a review. Plast Reconstr Surg 1999;104:1435-58.   DOI
52 Sunderland SS, Williams HB. Nerve injuries and their repair: a critical appraisal. Plast Reconstr Surg 1992;89:1170.   DOI
53 Harii K, Ohmori K, Torii S. Free gracilis muscle transplantation, with microneurovascular anastomoses for the treatment of facial paralysis: a preliminary report. Plast Reconstr Surg 1976;57:133-43.   DOI
54 McCraw JB, Dibbell DG, Carraway JH. Clinical definition of independent myocutaneous vascular territories. Plast Reconstr Surg 1977;60:341-52.
55 Mathes SJ, Nahai F. Classification of the vascular anatomy of muscles: experimental and clinical correlation. Plast Reconstr Surg 1981;67:177-87.   DOI
56 Holmes RE. Bone regeneration within a coralline hydroxyapatite implant. Plast Reconstr Surg 1979;63:626-33.   DOI
57 Taylor GI, Townsend P, Corlett R. Superiority of the deep circumflex iliac vessels as the supply for free groin flaps: clinical work. Plast Reconstr Surg 1979;64:745-59.   DOI
58 Yang GF, Chen PJ, Gao YZ, et al. Forearm free skin flap transplantation: a report of 56 cases. 1981. Br J Plast Surg 1997; 50:162-5.   DOI
59 Nason GJ, Tareen F, Mortell A. The top 100 cited articles in urology: an update. Can Urol Assoc J 2013;7:E16-24.   DOI
60 Lefaivre KA, Shadgan B, O'Brien PJ. 100 most cited articles in orthopaedic surgery. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2011;469: 1487-97.   DOI
61 Loonen MP, Hage JJ, Kon M. Plastic Surgery Classics: characteristics of 50 top-cited articles in four Plastic Surgery Journals since 1946. Plast Reconstr Surg 2008;121:320e-327e.   DOI
62 Loiselle F, Mahabir RC, Harrop AR. Levels of evidence in plastic surgery research over 20 years. Plast Reconstr Surg 2008;121:207e-211e.   DOI
63 Sinno H, Neel OF, Lutfy J, et al. Level of evidence in plastic surgery research. Plast Reconstr Surg 2011;127:974-80.   DOI
64 Xu CC, Cote DW, Chowdhury RH, et al. Trends in level of evidence in facial plastic surgery research. Plast Reconstr Surg 2011;127:1499-504.   DOI
65 Coleman SR. Structural fat grafting: more than a permanent filler. Plast Reconstr Surg 2006;118:108s-120s.   DOI
66 Lawrence S. Free online availability substantially increases a paper's impact. Nature 2001;411:521.
67 Gabriel SE, O'Fallon WM, Kurland LT, et al. Risk of connective-tissue diseases and other disorders after breast implantation. N Engl J Med 1994;330:1697-702.   DOI
68 Chung KC, Ram AN. Evidence-based medicine: the fourth revolution in American medicine? Plast Reconstr Surg 2009; 123:389-98.   DOI
69 Cheek J, Garnham B, Quan J. What's in a number? Issues in providing evidence of impact and quality of research(ers). Qual Health Res 2006;16:423-35.   DOI
70 Chuang KY, Ho YS. A bibliometric analysis on top-cited articles in pain research. Pain Med 2014;15:732-44.   DOI