Female Authorship Rises in Facial Plastic Surgery Literature, But Gaps Remain

Key Takeaways

• Female authorship in facial plastic surgery journals increased significantly from 2007 to 2022, though disparities persist.
• Gains were observed across first, last, and overall authorship positions, with first authorship increasing most rapidly.
• Despite progress, male authorship remains predominant across all years studied.

A cross-sectional bibliometric analysis published in Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine examined trends in female authorship across facial plastic surgery literature from 2007 to 2022. The study evaluated 6,921 original research articles from 3 journals, assessing authorship gender distribution over time using chi-squared and Cochrane-Armitage trend analyses.

Overall, 2,419 articles (34.9%) included female authorship. The proportion of female authors increased significantly across multiple authorship roles, including first or single authors (P = .028), last authors (P = .015), and all authors combined (P = .013). Despite these gains, male authorship remained significantly higher throughout the study period (P = .008).

Journal-specific analyses revealed notable differences. Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine (FPSAM) and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) demonstrated significant increases in overall female authorship from 2007 to 2022 (P = .003 and P = .03, respectively). FPSAM showed a significant rise in female first or single authorship (P = .001), while PRS exhibited a significant increase in female last authorship (P = .02), a role often associated with seniority and academic leadership.

These findings suggest a gradual shift toward greater female representation in academic facial plastic surgery, particularly among early-career contributors. However, persistent disparities—especially in senior authorship—highlight ongoing structural and professional barriers.

“Female authorship in facial plastic surgery is increasing over time,” the authors wrote. “First/single authorship is advancing more rapidly, possibly reflecting more female trainees advancing their careers. Further work is needed to support female representation in the facial plastic surgery literature.”