Computed tomography-guided hookwire localization and medical glue combined with methylene blue localization for pulmonary nodules before video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a single-center, retrospective study.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided hookwire localization and new CT-guided medical glue combined with methylene blue (MGMB) localization before video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) and to analyze the risk factors for complications after localization. A total of 620 patients, comprising 727 SPNs, admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China between December 2019 and July 2022 were retrospectively studied and case-control analyzed. According to the localization method, 620 patients were divided into the hookwire group (n=310) and MGMB group (n=310). The localization time, localization-to-surgery interval, operative time, length of hospitalization, and complication rate were compared between the 2 groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for the occurrence of complications in each group of localization methods. Compared to the hookwire group, the MGMB group had a shorter localization time (8.59±3.69 vs. 7.35±2.99 min; P<0.001), shorter hospital stay (5.60±2.13 vs. 6.73±2.86 days; P<0.001), and shorter operative time (103.48±54.11 vs. 98.59±49.92 min; P=0.33). The preoperative localization success rate was 99.4% (355/357) and 100% (370/370) in the hookwire group and MGMB group, respectively. No death or serious complications occurred during the localization process, but the overall complication rate was lower in the MGMB group (69/310, 22.3%) than in the hookwire group (105/310, 33.9%) (P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that age, number of nodules, and localization time were risk factors for total complications, while localization technique was a protective factor for total complications [odds ratio =0.590; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.405-0.860; P<0.05]. Both techniques could effectively locate SPNs before VATS; however, MGMB localization was found to be associated with a lower complication rate, shorter localization time, better safety, and higher potential clinical value and is thus worthy of clinical promotion.