Thoracoscopic localization techniques for patients with solitary pulmonary nodule: hookwire versus radio-guided surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to evaluate the best intrathoracoscopic localization technique between hookwire and radio-guided surgery, in patients with pulmonary nodule.


METHODS
From January 2000 to January 2005 we enrolled in this study 50 patients with a solitary pulmonary nodule, prospective randomized in two groups, well matched for diameter and depth of the pulmonary lesion. In 25 patients we performed the hookwire technique (Group A), whereas in the other 25 patients radio-guided localization was adopted (Group B). In both groups the localization technique was compared with finger palpation. In Group A, 9 lesions were in the left and 16 in the right lung; in Group B, 14 nodules were in the left lung and 11 in the right one. In both groups, the distance of the nodule from the pleural surface with lung inflated was 2.5 cm (1.5-2.5 cm in 12 patients, and >2.5 cm for the remaining 13). The mean size of the nodules in both groups was 1.1, range 0.6-1.9 (<or=1 cm n=18 patients, and >1 cm n=7 patients).


RESULTS
All patients underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection, and 23 patients with a primary pulmonary lesion underwent thoracotomy for lobectomy and radical mediastinal lymphadenectomy. In Group A the hookwire technique localized the nodule in 21 of 25 patients (84%) whereas finger palpation localized it in 7 of 25 patients (28%). In Group B, radio-guided surgery localized the nodule in 24 of 25 patients (96%) whereas finger palpation localized it in 6 of 25 (24%). In Group A we registered 6 cases of pneumothorax compared to 1 case observed in the radio-guided group. Postoperative hospital stay required an average of 4 days in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In our experience radio-guided surgery has therefore been proven efficacious in the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodule and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery allows the removal of pulmonary nodules without complications. Hookwire was also shown to be efficacious but demonstrated complications linked primarily to external technical factors.
Gonfiotti
Alessandro
A
Thoracic Surgery Unit, University Hospital Careggi, Florence, Italy. agonfiotti@hotmail.com
Davini
Federico
F
Vaggelli
Luca
L
De Francisci
Agostino
A
Caldarella
Adele
A
Gigli
Paolo Maria
PM
Janni
Alberto
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010173:Palpation; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome