Medical adhesive vs hookwire for computed tomography-guided preoperative localization and risk factors of major...

To compare the efficacy of medical adhesive and hookwire as CT-guided non-palpable pulmonary nodule (NPN) localization methods before video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) resection, and determine the risk factors for common complications during localization.

This was a single-center non-randomized retrospective study. 102 consecutive patients with 109 NPNs were divided into Group A (medical adhesive, 66 patients, 72 nodules) and Group B (hookwire, 36 patients, 37 nodules) before VATS. Patient- and nodule-based characteristics were compared. Logistic regression was performed to identify the risk factors for complications.

Localization was successfully performed in all the NPNs. For Group A, the rate of pneumothorax immediately after localization was lower (p = 0.049) and the localization-to-surgery interval was longer (p = 0.011) than Group B. There was no significant difference in rates of hemorrhage after needle withdrawal between the two groups (p = 0.198). Hookwire ( vs medical adhesive) (β = 1.12, p = 0.018), total insertion depth (β = -0.41, p = 0.013), pleura-needle angle (β = -0.04, p = 0.025) and grade of hemorrhage after needle withdrawal (β = -0.96, p = 0.030) were independently associated with pneumothorax, while age (β = -0.94, p = 0.018), tumor size (β = 0.29, p = 0.007) and its distance from the pleural surface (β = 0.14, p = 0.004) were associated with higher grade hemorrhage after needle withdrawal.

Compared with hookwire, localization with medical adhesive excelled in lower risk of pneumothorax, a more flexible localization-to-surgery interval, and had similar rates of hemorrhage after needle withdrawal. Hookwire is an independent risk factor of pneumothorax immediately after localization.

This study added new clinical evidence to the efficacy of medical adhesive in pre-operative CT-guided NPN localization.