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Updated: Sep 14, 2025
Electromagnetic Navigation Transthoracic Nodule Localization for Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Published on: May 4, 2022
A novel technique for localizing pulmonary nodules through percutaneous catheter puncture
Dong Tian1, Jia-Sheng Zhao2, Hao-Ji Yan3
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Background:
Thoracoscopic sublobar resection for non-surface or non-solid nodules is sometimes challenging for localization. We have developed a novel technique for localizing pulmonary nodules through percutaneous catheter puncture to assist thoracoscopic sublobar resection. This study aimed to assess the safety, efficacy and suitability of the localization technique.
Methods:
This prospective study enrolled patients who underwent wedge resection from September 2023 to July 2024. Based on the projection site of the pulmonary nodules on the chest wall in the preoperative computed tomography images, the puncture point was determined through the closest intercostal space to achieve percutaneous catheter puncture localization. The primary outcomes included safety (complication rate) and efficacy (successful resection rate, distance from localization point to the nodule and surgical margin). The secondary outcomes included suitability (localization times and patient comfort).
Results:
In total, 107 patients underwent wedge resection with percutaneous catheter puncture localization. The lesions of all patients (100%) were successfully resected. The median surgical margin was 2 cm (range, 1.5-3 cm). The distance from the localization point to the nodule was less than or equal to 1.5 cm in all patients, less than or equal to 1 cm in 87.9%, and less than 0.5 cm in 39.3% of patients. None of the patients (0%) experienced any complications or felt pain. The localization time of all patients was less than 5 minutes.
Conclusions:
Our preliminary experience has found that localizing pulmonary nodules through percutaneous catheter puncture technique is safe, painless, effective, and suitable prior to sublobar resection.
