Marking ground glass nodules with pulmonary nodules localization needle prior to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of marking ground glass nodules (GGNs) with pulmonary nodules localization needle (PNLN) prior to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

From June 2020 to February 2021, all patients with GGNs who received CT-guided localization using PNLN before VATS were enrolled. Clinical and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed.

A total of 352 consecutive patients with 395 GGNs were included in the study. The mean diameter of GGNs was 0.95 ± 0.48 cm, and the shortest distance from nodules to the pleura was 1.73 ± 0.96 cm. All 395 GGNs were marked using PNLNs. The time required for marking was 7.8 ± 2.2 min. The marking success rate was 99.0% (391/395). The marking failure of four nodules was all due to the unsatisfactory position of PNLNs. No marker dislocation occurred. Marking-related complications included pneumothorax in 63 cases (17.9%), hemorrhage in 34 cases (9.7%), and hemoptysis in 6 cases (1.7%). All the complications were minor and did not need special treatment. Localization and VATS were performed on the same day in 95 cases and on different days in 257 cases. All GGNs were successfully removed by VATS. No patient converted to thoracotomy. Histopathological examination revealed 74 (18.7%) benign nodules and 321 (81.3%) malignant nodules.

It is safe and reliable to perform preoperative localization of GGNs using PNLNs, which can effectively guide VATS to remove GGNs.

• Preoperative localization of GGNs could effectively guide VATS to remove GGNs. • PNLN was based on the marking principle of hook-wire, through the improvement of its material, specially designed to mark pulmonary nodules. • The application of PNLN to mark GGNs had high success rate, good patient tolerance, and no dislocation. Meanwhile, VATS could be performed 2 to 3 days after marking GGNs with PNLN.