Hybrid Theater and Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery: The Perfect Match for Lung Nodule Localization

Cone-beam computed tomography provides unparalleled real-time imaging of the patient within the hybrid theater, which can be used for simultaneously diagnosing and localizing small pulmonary lesions for resection. Hybrid theater can guide more precise placement of electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy tools, thereby increasing the diagnostic yield in biopsy procedures while reducing diffusion artifact in dye marking for nodule localization. Furthermore, hook-wires implantation that is widely used to assist in lesion localization for uniportal thoracoscopic surgery can take place in the hybrid suite, eliminating the common complications and discomfort associated with the conventional workflow carried out in the radiology suite.