BACKGROUND: Over the past 15 years, WORLD NEUROSURGERY (WN) has emerged as a pivotal source in the neurosurgery field, reflecting remarkable growth and development. Originally published as Surgical Neurology from 1973 to 2009, the journal transitioned to its current title in 2010, significantly expanding its reach and influence. METHODS: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of WN's publications from 1973 to 2023 was performed. The analysis focused on identifying the top authors, universities, countries, and sponsors in 2 periods: 1973-2009 and 2010-2023. Additionally, the study included a detailed examination of the top 1000 most cited papers, and summary of top 10 most cited papers. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that during the Surgical Neurology period, 6567 research documents were published, including 6503 articles and 64 reviews. Since rebranding as WN, the journal has published an additional 17,663 documents, comprising 15,366 articles and 2297 reviews up to 2023. The top contributors (authors, universities, and sponsors) were identified, and the study found that WN has successfully increased its foothold across various continents. The co-word analysis provided insights into the thematic focus of the top 1000 most cited papers, categorizing them into 15 distinct areas. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores WN's significant role in advancing neurosurgical research over the past 5 null decades. The findings highlight the journal's evolution, its expanding global influence, and the key contributors to its success.