Localization techniques for the thoracoscopic resection of pulmonary nodules.

The recent progress made in endoscopic surgery has increased the number of thoracoscopic procedures, especially in the field of pulmonary nodules resection. The main problem related to these newly developed surgical procedures is the difficulty in locating the target nodule. We describe the techniques we currently use to facilitate the localization of pulmonary nodules. These techniques include preoperative methylene blue injection and insertion of a hookwire into the lung nodule, but also intraoperative palpation (digital and instrumental) and ultrasonography.