Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of Hookwire positioning needles and wire anchor hooks for preoperative positioning of pulmonary nodules.

Methods The preoperative positioning was performed on 145 and 150 patients with pulmonary nodules using Hookwire positioning needles and anchor hooks with wires, respectively. Thoracoscopic surgery was performed within 24 hours after positioning in each group, and the clinical data between two groups were compared.

Results A total of 170 nodules were located in the Hookwire positioning needle group, and 180 nodules were located in the wireline anchor hook group. The success rate of nodule localization for both positioning methods was 100%. However, compared with the Hookwire positioning needle group, the time required for preoperative localization in the wire anchor hook group was shorter, and the incidence of pneumothorax was lower than that in Hookwire positioning needle group. The incidence of intrapulmonary hemorrhage in the wire anchor hook group after puncture was lower than that in Hookwire positioning needle group. The duration of pain after positioning in the wire anchor hook group was shorter than that in Hookwire positioning needle group (P ＜ 0.05 to P ＜ 0.01).

Conclusions The preoperative positioning effect of CT-guided anchor hooks with wires is good and safe, and has a low incidence of complications, which is worthy of clinical promotion.