Computed tomography criteria for the use of advanced localization techniques in minimally invasive thoracoscopic lung resection

The significant improvement of patient outcomes from minimally invasive lung surgery has led to the development of advanced lung nodule localization techniques to help manage patients with small suspicious lung nodules or to help resect patients with small pulmonary metastases. However, there are no clear computed tomography (CT) criteria to guide the use of advanced localization techniques for this group of patients. We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who had undergone initial wedge resection of single or multiple lung nodules. We collected demographics, surgical information and surgical outcomes as well as CT scan features. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine which factors were most predictive of the need for advanced localization techniques. A total of 45 patients (73%) were resected by direct identification alone while 17 patients (27%) required advanced localization techniques. Of those requiring advanced localization, 11 patients had cone beam CT, 3 patients had transbronchial localization using electromagnetic navigation and 3 patients had preoperative CT guided wire localization. Patients requiring advanced localization had significantly smaller lung nodules at 0.8 cm compared to 1.4 cm (P=0.01), nodules that were further away from the pleura at 1.3 cm compared 0.1 cm (P