Expert consensus workshop report: Guidelines for preoperative assisted localization of small pulmonary nodules

Along with increasing incidence of operable small pulmonary nodules, it becomes difficult to localize nodules via palpation. Accurate localization of small pulmonary nodules has remained a big challenge in lung surgery. Therefore, several techniques for preoperative localizing small pulmonary nodules have evolved, but the advantages and disadvantages of each method remain unclear. We reviewed computed tomography-guided percutaneous and bronchoscopic preoperative assisted localization for small pulmonary nodules. Original, peer-reviewed, and full-length articles in English and Chinese were searched with PubMed and Wanfang data. Case reports and case series with <20 patients were excluded. All localization techniques showed good reliability, but some carry a high rate of major or minor complications and drawbacks. No ideal localization technique is available; thus, the choice of preoperative assisted localization technique still depends on surgeons' preference and local availability of both specialists and instruments.