Abstract
Background This study was aimed to describe a new localization technique developed using medical
glue and methylene blue dye, and characterized the localization results and postoperative
outcome to evaluate its safety and usefulness.
Methods This retrospective study was conducted at our center from January 2016 to April 2018.
Totally 346 consecutive patients with 383 nodules who underwent preoperative computed
tomography (CT)-guided medical glue and methylene blue dye localization, followed
by lung resection, were enrolled in this study.
Results Mean nodule size was 7.7 ± 3.7 mm (range: 2–30 mm), with a mean depth from pleura
or fissure of 9.4 ± 9.3 mm (range: 0–60 mm). The success rate of CT-guided localization
for pulmonary nodules was 99.5% (381/383) of the nodules. Localization-related complications
included mild pneumothorax in 16 (4.6%) patients, mild hemothorax in 7 (2.0%) patients,
and hemoptysis in 1 (0.3%) patient. Pleural reaction occurred in 7 (2.0%) and pain
in 25 (7.2%) patients. All 383 nodules were resected successfully, with conversion
to thoracotomy only required in two patients for adhesion and calcification of lymph
nodes. All patients recovered well postoperatively, with a short postoperative hospital
stay (3.7 ± 2.0 days) and a low complication rate (2.6%, 9/346).
Conclusion CT-guided medical glue and methylene blue dye localization prior to video-assisted
thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lung resection was a novel, safe, and technically feasible
method, with a high-technical success rate and a low-complication rate. It allowed
surgeons to easily locate and detect the nodules and estimate the surgical margin.
Keywords
computed tomography - CT scan - thoracoscopy/VATS - lung cancer
