CT-Free Electromagnetic Navigation Percutaneous Localization for Pulmonary Nodules Undergoing Sublobar Resection

July 29, 2026 updated by: Jianle Chen

Clinical Evaluation of CT-Free Electromagnetic Navigation Percutaneous Localization System for Pulmonary Nodules Undergoing Sublobar Resection: A Multicenter Observational Cohort Study

Pulmonary nodules, particularly small and non-palpable nodules, present challenges for accurate localization during sublobar lung resection. This multicenter observational cohort study evaluated the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of CT-Free electromagnetic navigation percutaneous localization for pulmonary nodules requiring sublobar resection.

Patients who underwent CT-Free electromagnetic navigation localization were compared with patients who received conventional CT-guided localization. The primary outcome was localization success rate, defined as the distance between the localization marker and the pulmonary nodule center being within 10 mm.

Secondary outcomes included localization procedure time, conversion rate to other localization methods, surgical success rate, perioperative complications, postoperative hospitalization duration, and medical resource utilization.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

153

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

China
- Jiangsu
  - Nantong, Jiangsu, China
    - Nantong First People's Hospital
  - Nantong, Jiangsu, China
    - Nantong Sixth People's Hospital
  - Nantong, Jiangsu, China
    - Nantong University Affiliated Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

Adult
Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with pulmonary nodules requiring preoperative localization before sublobar lung resection at multiple participating centers.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Adults aged 18 years or older.
Patients with pulmonary nodules requiring sublobar resection.
Non-palpable pulmonary nodules requiring preoperative localization.
Patients undergoing CT-Free electromagnetic navigation localization or CT-guided localization.

Exclusion Criteria:

Central pulmonary nodules unsuitable for localization.
Patients unable to undergo sublobar resection.
Patients with severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction or major organ dysfunction.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Patients participating in other clinical trials.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Number of groups / cohorts

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
CT-Free Electromagnetic Navigation Localization Patients receiving CT-Free electromagnetic navigation percutaneous localization before sublobar resection for pulmonary nodules.
CT-Guided Localization Patients receiving conventional CT-guided localization before sublobar resection for pulmonary nodules.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Proportion of Participants With Successful Localization Based on Marker-to-Nodule Distance ≤10 mm Time Frame: Immediately after surgical resection	The proportion of participants with successful pulmonary nodule localization, defined as a distance between the localization marker and the pulmonary nodule center of ≤10 mm, measured by postoperative pathological specimen evaluation.	Immediately after surgical resection

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Proportion of Participants Requiring Additional Localization Procedures Time Frame: During surgery	The proportion of participants requiring additional localization methods because of unsuccessful or inaccurate initial localization.	During surgery
Number of Participants With Procedure-Related Complications Time Frame: Within 30 days after surgery	Procedure-related complications including pneumothorax, pulmonary hemorrhage, and infection occurring after localization and surgery.	Within 30 days after surgery
Duration of Pulmonary Nodule Localization Procedure Time Frame: From initiation to completion of the localization procedure	The duration from initiation of localization preparation to completion of marker placement.	From initiation to completion of the localization procedure
Mean Distance Between Localization Marker and Pulmonary Nodule Center (mm) Time Frame: Immediately after surgical specimen resection	The mean distance between the localization marker and the pulmonary nodule center measured immediately after surgical specimen resection.	Immediately after surgical specimen resection
Mean Duration of Postoperative Hospital Stay Time Frame: Up to 30 days after surgical resection	The mean duration of hospitalization after surgical resection, calculated from the date of surgery to the date of hospital discharge.	Up to 30 days after surgical resection

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Jianle Chen

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

June 24, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

March 28, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

March 28, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 19, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 29, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

August 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)