Citation classics in trauma.
BACKGROUND
The evolution of trauma may be analyzed by review of articles most frequently cited by scientific articles worldwide. This study identified the "trauma classics" by reviewing the most-cited articles ever published in The Journal of Trauma.


METHODS
The Science Citation Index of the Institute for Scientific Information was searched for the 50 most-cited articles in The Journal of Trauma.


RESULTS
Of the 12,672 articles published since 1961, 80 were cited over 100 times and 17 over 200 times. The most-cited article was by Baker, a hallmark publication on injury scoring published in 1974. Feeding postinjury, bacterial translocation, and multiple organ failure were common themes. Overall, 32% involved gastrointestinal topics and 18% involved injury scoring, with institutions in the United States publishing 80% of the articles.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identified the trauma classics from the last 42 years of The Journal of Trauma. Citation analysis has recognized limitations but gives a fascinating insight into the evolution of trauma care.
Ollerton
Joanne Emma
JE
Department of Trauma, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia. j.ollerton@doctors.org.uk
Sugrue
Michael
M
D015706:Bibliometrics; D006801:Humans; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011643:Publishing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries