Application of microcoil localization in thoracoscopic resection of small pulmonary nodules

Objective To observe the clinical value of CT-guided microcoil localization in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for small pulmonary nodules. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 100 patients with small pulmonary nodules who underwent VATS. They were divided into the localization group (n = 50, CT-guided microcoil localization followed by VATS resection) and the non-localization group (n = 50, direct VATS resection). The localization success rate, localization time, and complication rate of the localization group were observed, and the VATS operation time, intraoperative bleeding, conversion to thoracotomy, postoperative drainage, hospital stay, and hospitalization costs were compared between the two groups. Results The localization success rate of the localization group was 98% (49/50), with 6 cases (12%, 6/50) of minor pneumothorax and 8 cases (16%, 8/50) of low-grade bleeding. The average localization time was (15.7 ± 3.5) min. The localization group had significantly better indicators such as operation time, postoperative drainage volume, and hospitalization costs than the non-localization group ( P  < 0.05). Conclusion CT-guided microcoil localization is simple to operate and has good safety. It helps improve the accuracy and safety of VATS for small pulmonary nodules and has important clinical application value.