Electromagnetic navigation-guided versus computed tomography-guided percutaneous localization of small lung nodules before uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a propensity score-matched analysis

OBJECTIVES: An optimal method for preoperative localization of small lung nodules is yet to be established, and there are few comparative studies in the literature. In the present study, we aimed to compare electromagnetic navigation-guided and computed tomography (CT)-guided methods of percutaneous transthoracic localization. METHODS: The clinical, radiographic, surgical and pathological data of patients who underwent electromagnetic navigation-guided localization (EMNGL) and CT-guided localization (CTGL) before uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) were reviewed. Propensity score matching analysis was performed to compare the localization and surgical results. RESULTS: After matching, 25 EMNGL and 50 CTGL patients were included in the analysis. In the CTGL group, pulmonary haemorrhage and pneumothorax were noted in 56% and 34% of patients, respectively, on postprocedural CT scans. Successful localization was achieved in 96% and 100% of patients in the EMNGL and CTGL groups, respectively (P=0.333). The median time in the operation room was significantly shorter in the CTGL group {142.5 [interquartile range (IQR) 123.8-175.0] vs 205.0 [IQR 177.5-290.0] min, P<0.001}. In contrast, EMNGL significantly decreased the total time [205.0 (IQR 177.5-290.0) vs 324.0 (IQR 228.3-374.0) min, P=0.002]. The median duration of chest drainage was 1day shorter in the EMNGL group [2.0 (IQR 1.5-2.5) vs 3.0 (IQR 2.0-3.0), P=0.002]; the surgical complication rates were comparable between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The localization and surgical results were similar between the EMNGL and CTGL groups. EMNGL is comparable to conventional CTGL with respect to preoperative localization of small lung nodules before uniportal VATS.