Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026
Electromagnetic Navigation Transthoracic Nodule Localization for Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Published on: May 4, 2022
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery using mobile computed tomography: new method for locating of small lung nodules
Kazuto Ohtaka1, Yasuhiro Takahashi, Kichizo Kaga
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Steel Memorial Muroran Hospital, Chiribetsu-cho, 050-0076 Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan. kit_katton0803@yahoo.co.jp.
Background:
The O-arm is an intraoperative imaging device that can provide computed tomography images. Surgery for small lung tumors was performed based on intraoperative computed tomography images obtained using the O-arm. This study evaluated the usefulness of the O-arm in thoracic surgery.
Methods:
From July 2013 to November 2013, 10 patients with small lung nodules or ground glass nodules underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery using the O-arm. A needle was placed on the visceral pleura near the nodules. After the lung was re-expanded, intraoperative computed tomography was performed using the O-arm. Then, the positional relationship between the needle marking and the tumor was recognized based on the intraoperative computed tomography images, and lung resection was performed.
Results:
In 9 patients, the tumor could be seen on intraoperative computed tomography images using the O-arm. In 1 patient with a ground glass nodule, the lesion could not be seen, but its location could be inferred by comparison between preoperative and intraoperative computed tomography images. In only 1 patient with a ground glass nodule, a pathological complete resection was not performed. There were no complications related to the use of the O-arm.
Conclusions:
The O-arm may be an additional tool to facilitate intraoperative localization and surgical resection of non-palpable lung lesions.
