Three-dimensional printing template for intraoperative localization of pulmonary nodules in the pleural cavity

Localization of pulmonary nodules is challenging. However, traditional localization methods have high radiation doses and a high risk of complications. We developed a noninvasive 3-dimensional printing navigational template for intraoperative localization. It can reduce puncture-related complications and simplify the localization process. This study will verify the feasibility of this method.

Patients with peripheral pulmonary nodules were included in this study. The computed tomography scan sequences were obtained to design a digital template model, which was then imported into a 3-dimensional printer to produce a physical navigational template. Finally, the navigational template is placed into the patient's pleural cavity for intraoperative localization. The precision of the nodule localization and associated complications were evaluated.

Twelve patients were finally included in this study. Intraoperative navigational template localization was used in all patients. The success rate of intraoperative nodule localization was 100%, and the median time of localization was 19.5 minutes (range, 16-23.5 minutes). The deviation median of the navigational template was 2.1 mm (range, 1.1-2.7 mm). Among the included patients, no significant complications occurred during intraoperative localization.

The 3-dimensional printing template for intraoperative localization is feasible, will cause no trauma to the patient, and has acceptable accuracy for application in nodules localization. This navigational template greatly simplifies the localization process and may potentially break the dependence of percutaneous localization on computed tomography scanning.