[Locating pulmonary nodules with a computed axial tomography-guided harpoon prior to videothoracoscopic resection. Experience with 52 cases].

Objective: Videothoracoscopic (VTC) resection of peripheral pulmonary nodules (PN) occasionally requires performing a mini-thoracotomy to locate them using palpation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of inserting a CT-guided harpoon as a method for locating PN prior to surgery.

Material And Methods: A study was conducted on a total of 52 patients who were scheduled for locating 55 PN prior to surgery by inserting a CT-guided harpoon, from November 2004 to January 2011.