Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Localization of pulmonary ground glass small nodule is the technical difficulty of minimally invasive operation resection. The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of intraoperative computed tomography (CT)-guided localization using a hook-wire system for small ground glass opacity (GGO) in minimally invasive resection, as well as to discuss the necessity and feasibility of surgical resection of small GGOs (<10 mm) through a minimally invasive approach. METHODS: The records of 32 patients with 41 small GGOs who underwent intraoperative CT-guided double-thorn hook wire localization prior to video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection from October 2009 to October 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) within 10 min after wire localization. The efficacy of intraoperative localization was evaluated in terms of procedure time, VATS success rate, and associated complications of localization. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients (15 males and 17 females) underwent 41 VATS resections, with 2 simultaneous nodule resections performed in 3 patients, 3 lesion resections in 1 patient, and 5 lesions in a patient. Nodule diameters ranged from 2 mm-10 mm (mean: 5 mm). The distance of lung lesions from the nearest pleural surfaces ranged within 5 mm-24 mm (mean: 12.5 mm). All resections of lesions guided by the inserted hook wires were successfully performed by VATS (100% success rate). The mean procedure time for the CT-guided hook wire localization was 8.4 min (range: 4 min-18 min). The mean procedure time for VATS was 32 min (range: 14 min-98 min). The median hospital time was 8 d (range: 5 d-14 d). Results of pathological examination revealed 28 primary lung cancers, 9 atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, and 4 nonspecific chronic inflammations. No major complication related to the intraoperative hook wire localization and VATS was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative CT-guided hook wire localization is useful, particularly in small GGO localization in VATS wedge resection and has a significantly low rate of minor complications. Lung GGOs carry a 90% risk of malignancy. Aggressive surgical resection of these GGOs is necessary and feasible through the guidance of intraoperative CT localization technique.