Combination of CT-guided hookwire localization and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pulmonary nodular lesions: Analysis of 103 patients.

At present, there is no standardized method for the diagnosis and management of pulmonary nodular lesions (PNLs) smaller than 3 cm. This study investigated the use of computed tomography (CT)-guided hookwire localization and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for PNLs. A total of 103 patients undergoing CT-guided hook-wire localization and VATS were enrolled, and 107 lesions were collected. We assessed the localization achievement ratio, complications rate, conversion thoracotomy rate, intraoperative dislodgement rate, pathological diagnosis rate, duration of surgery and average days of hospitalization. All 107 nodules from 103 patients were successfully localized (100%), the asymptomatic pneumothorax rate was 36.9%, the asymptomatic hemorrhage rate was 40.8% and the simultaneous pneumothorax and hemorrhage rate was 8.7%. A conversion thoracotomy was required in 2 (1.9%) patients and the intraoperative dislodgement rate was 2.9%. The average time for localization was 11±4 min, and the average times for wedge resection and lobectomies were 16±2 and 95±30 min, respectively. The mean hospitalization time following the surgery was 6±3 days. All 107 nodules managed to achieve pathological diagnoses. A combination of CT-guided hook-wire localization and VATS for PNL is a safe and efficient procedure of great clinical value.