Abstract: Background and purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore a simple, safe, accurate and noninvasive method for intraoperative localization of pulmonary nodules, so as to provide reference for more surgeons and benefit more patients with pulmonary nodules. Methods: Data of 100 patients with pulmonary nodules who underwent sublobectomy were collected. Combined with computed tomography (CT) images before operation, the localization point of pulmonary nodule on the pleural layer of the medial wall of chest wall was determined. The electric hook was left on this point, and the anesthesiologist was instructed to hold his breath after full drum and lung. The electric coagulation hook left burning point on the lung surface, which was the location point of the small pulmonary nodule on the pleura surface. After resection of the specimen, the distance between the burn point and the nodule and the distance between the nodule and the cut edge were measured to evaluate the accuracy of the localization. Results: The accuracy rate of localization was 99.1%. Only one patient had a significant deviation (>1.5 cm) between the small pulmonary nodule and the localization point. The pulmonary nodule was found after the second resection. The other patients had single resection successfully. The success rate of operation was 100.0%. No complication occurred. Conclusion: Intraoperative chest wall localization method is non-invasive, simple and safe without complication. Especially for pulmonary nodules at special location, it can achieve more accurate positioning and has obvious advantages, which is worth promoting.

Key words: Lung tubercle, Intraoperative localization, Thoracoscope