Computed tomography‐guided hook wire localization facilitates video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery of pulmonary ground‐glass nodules

BACKGROUND: This retrospectively study was conducted to assess the efficiency and safety of computed tomography (CT)‐guided hook wire localization of pulmonary ground‐glass nodules (GGNs) prior to video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). METHODS: From 2015 to 2018, a total of 86 patients with 86 pulmonary GGNs underwent preoperative CT‐guided hook wire localization before VATS. The technical details and clinicopathological findings were analyzed. RESULTS: All 86 pulmonary GGNs (25 pure GGNs and 61 part‐solid GGNs) were successfully located and resected. The mean diameter of the GGNs was 1.4 ± 0.4 cm (range 0.6–2.2) and the mean lesion distance to the pleural surface was 7.3 ± 4.3 mm (range 2–19). Complications of hook wire marking included asymptomatic minor pneumothorax in 21 patients (24%) and focal pulmonary hemorrhage in 18 (21%). The median hook wire localization time was 19.1 minutes (range 10–30) and the median VATS time was 49 minutes (range 28–89). Pathology revealed 72 precancerous lesions or primary lung adenocarcinomas, 5 metastatic tumors, and 9 benign lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative localization of small pulmonary GGNs using CT‐guided hook wire was efficient and safe prior to VATS resection.