Original Article


Remedial localization after dislodgement of primary mechanical localization in lung surgery

Long Wang, Xufeng Zhang, Mu Li, Xiermaimaiti Kadeer, Chenyang Dai, Zhe Shi, Chang Chen

Abstract

Background: Unhooking or displacement of hookwire or microcoil due to technical failures is rather common. We aim to establish a new technique for remedial localization in the case of displacement or unhooking of primary mechanical localization during lung surgery.
Methods: From February 2014 to September 2015, 18 consecutive cases of intraoperative dislodgement during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) were enrolled. Nodule’s projection on body surface was located by analyzing computed tomography (CT) images, and a needle was inserted into thoracic cavity through this point. The lung was then inflated, and a small burn was made where the needle tip touched the visceral plural. Wedge resections were subsequently performed for these impalpable small lesions.
Results: Eighteen solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) from 18 patients were scheduled for VATS wedge resections in this series, including 6 (33.3%) hookwire localization and 12 (66.7%) microcoil localization. Fifteen (83.3%) of 18 nodules were pure ground glass opacity (pGGO) and 3 (16.7%) mixed ground glass opacity (mGGO). The mean diameter of SPNs was 7.7±3.6 mm. The mean distance from SPN to pleura was 12.2±10.9 mm. During remedial localization, 17 (94.4%) nodules were removed successfully by wedge resection, and segmentectomy was performed only in one case with failed outcome. Paraffin pathology showed 2 (11.1%) atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), 11 (61.1%) adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), 4 (22.2%) minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), and 1 (5.6%) inflammatory disease.
Conclusions: This remedial localization technique is practical and reliable. It is a good backup plan in the case of dislodgement, and it can help prevent extended lung resection.

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