Localization strategies for deep lung nodule using electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy and indocyanine green fluorescence: a technical note.

Accurate localization of pulmonary nodules is crucial for successful video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) resection. Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) combined with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence has emerged as a promising technique for precise pulmonary nodule marking. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of four ENB-guided ICG marking techniques: direct lesion marking, superficial marking, resection boundary marking, and margin sphere marking. We prospectively enrolled 80 patients with deep lung nodules and evaluated the procedural outcomes, accuracy, complications, and postoperative results of each ENB-guided strategy. The overall success rate of ENB-guided ICG marking was 97.5%, with no significant differences among the four techniques. The superficial marking and resection boundary marking methods achieved 100% fluorescence visibility and superior consistency in marking. The visibility of fluorescence varied among the four marking methods. No severe complications occurred during the ENB procedures, while 1 patient had minor bleeding at the dye injection site. Our study demonstrates that ENB-guided localization using ICG dye and fluorescence thoracoscopy is a safe and effective technique for the preoperative marking of deep lung nodules. Among the four localization strategies investigated, we recommend prioritizing the superficial marking and resection boundary marking methods in clinical practice when feasible, as they provide reliable and precise guidance for the resection of deep lung nodules.