OBJECTIVEVideo-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) provides a minimally invasive approach to resect small solitary pulmonary nodules (SSPN). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative CT-guided hookwire localization for SSPN in VATS.

METHODSHookwire was used to localize 26 SSPN under CT guidance in 24 patients (14 male, 10 female, age range 21-61 years, mean 52.3 years), preoperatively, and wedge resection was performed through VATS. The lesion size, distance from the lesion to parietal pleura, the time of localization and complications were evaluated.

RESULTSAll the 26 pulmonary nodules were preoperatively detected and localized with hookwire under CT-guidance. The mean lesion size was 10.05 +/- 3.08 mm in diameter, and the mean distance from lesion to parietal pleura was 10.09 +/- 2.62 mm. The mean localization time was 20.18 +/- 7.16 min, and then the nodules were removed by VATS within 18 +/- 6.65 min. The major complication of CT-guided hookwire localization was mild pneumothorax in 6 patients (25.0%), but no one needed chest tube drainage. The dislodgment of hookwire was found in only one patient (4.2%) during the operation, but the lesion was still successfully resected under VATS. Of those patients, 8 were confirmed to have a primary NSCLC by rapid pathologic diagnosis during VATS wedge resection, and then VATS lobectomies were performed.

CONCLUSIONThe preoperative CT-guided hookwire localization for small solitary pulmonary nodules is an effective and safe technique to assist VATS resection of the nodules.