Global Research Trends and Emerging Frontiers in Damage Control Resuscitation

Damage Control Resuscitation (DCR) has emerged as a pivotal paradigm in modern trauma care, integrating hemorrhage control, hemostatic resuscitation, and rapid surgical intervention to improve survival outcomes. Despite its growing clinical importance, the evolution of research trends, collaborative patterns, and emerging thematic frontiers within this domain remains insufficiently characterized. This study aims to systematically evaluate the global research landscape of DCR through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis. Data were retrieved from the Scopus database using an advanced search strategy based on the keywords “damage control resuscitation” and “trauma,” covering publications from 2000 to May 2026. A total of 868 peer-reviewed articles were identified and analyzed. Bibliometric tools, including Scopus Analyzer, OpenRefine, and VOSviewer, were employed to examine publication trends, citation patterns, keyword co-occurrence, and international collaboration networks. The findings demonstrate a marked increase in publication output over time, with a significant surge observed after 2015, reflecting heightened academic and clinical interest in DCR. The United States and the United Kingdom emerged as leading contributors, both in productivity and collaborative influence. Highly cited articles predominantly focused on transfusion strategies, particularly balanced blood product ratios, underscoring their central role in advancing clinical practice. Keyword analysis revealed dominant themes centered on trauma, hemorrhage, and resuscitation, alongside emerging areas such as Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA), whole blood transfusion, and prehospital care. In conclusion, the field of DCR is characterized by rapid growth, strong international collaboration, and evolving research priorities driven by technological and clinical innovations. This study provides valuable insights into the intellectual structure and emerging directions of DCR, offering a foundation for future research and evidence-based advancements in trauma care.