Objective To explore the research hotspots,frontiers and trends in delayed discharge from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and to provide a reference for reducing PACU discharge delays. Methods Publications related to delayed PACU discharge were searched in the Web of Science core collection database and the China National Knowledge Network (CNKI), from database inception to January 1, 2024. Authors, research institutions and keywords of the included publications were quantified and visually analyzed using CiteSpace. Results A total of 50 publications in Chinese and 278 publications in English were retrieved. Studies on delayed PACU discharge showed an increasing trend. Co-occurring network analyses performed using keywords showed that recent popular research topics were nursing, delayed emergence, influencing factors, prediction model, and pain management, etc. Conclusion Research on delayed PACU discharge has been continuously developing both domestically and internationally. In the future, it is essential to develop prediction models and operational systems suitable for Chinese patients, and to formulate targeted interventions to reduce discharge delays.