Electromagnetic navigation-guided preoperative localization: the learning curve analysis

The electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) was increasingly used to mark small pulmonary nodules (PNs) for video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) resection due to high effectiveness and low risk. However, no study reports the learning curve of ENB-guided preoperative localization. In the study, we aimed to describe the learning curve of ENB-guided preoperative PNs localization initially.

Consecutive PNs cases that underwent ENB localizations between October 2018 and October 2019 by the same surgeon in our center were included in the study. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) method was used to analyze the learning curve of ENB localization.

A total of 89 ENB localization from 64 patients were included in this study. The learning curve was divided into 3 phases: Phase I (the initial 11 cases), Phase II (the 12th to the 47th cases), and Phase III (the 47th to the 89th cases). The success rate of ENB localization has increased with the accumulation of operational experience in 3 phases (72.73%, 91.67%, and 97.62%, P=0.049). The distance from the ENB guide wire tip to the center of the lesion in Phase I was significantly longer than those in Phase II and Phase III (2.46±1.76 vs. 1.36±0.94 and 1.47±0.97 cm, P=0.014 and 0.027, respectively). Sex, bronchus sign, and learning curve phase were independent risk factors influencing operative time (OT) (OR =8.187, 18.847, and 13.920, respectively).

The technical competency, which is indicated by higher success rate, localization accuracy, and shorter OT, for ENB-guided preoperative PNs localization was achieved at the 47th operation.