SOMATEX® Lung Marker System

The patented SOMATEX® Lung Marker System is used for the preoperative marking of intrapulmonary, non-palpable pulmonary nodules. This system is specifically designed for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) procedures.

Why is preoperative marking important?
Small and non-superficial nodules are often difficult to localize during VATS procedures, if no marking was performed before surgery.

In this case, conversion rates of up to 46%* from minimally invasive surgery to open thoracotomy have been observed due to failure of nodule localization.

* Suzuki et al., Chest 1999; 115: 563-568

Advantages

• Technique allows for precise and safe localization of small pulmonary nodules during VATS.
• Wire can be repositioned. Marking does not fade unlike dye marking, which reduces time pressure between marking and surgery.
• Lung Marker System can help to reduce the conversion rate to open thoracotomy.

Accuracy of localization – reduce dislocation rates

• No blurring of dye or unintended marking of surrounding tissue.
• The spiral shape at the distal tip of the wire enables stable anchoring in the lung parenchyma.