Advancing Lung Biopsies With Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy

What is robotic-assisted bronchoscopy?

Instead of a standard bronchoscope, robotic-assisted bronchoscopy utilizes a small 3.5mm flexible catheter equipped with a camera that can access the smaller parts of the lungs’ airways. A CT scan performed in advance provides a map for the pulmonologist as they navigate these airways to the nodule using a rolling controller.

Why is this procedure performed?

Bronchoscopy is performed to diagnose and treat lung problems such as lung cancer, airway blockages and narrowed areas in the airways. It is a valuable tool in finding an answer for any focal nodule, or nodule in a specific area in the lung, that raises concern by allowing the pulmonologist to collect a lung tissue sample.

How is robotic-assisted bronchoscopy beneficial?

When compared to traditional surgical procedures, robotic-assisted bronchoscopy is non-invasive, meaning it does not require any type of surgical incision in the skin. This typically results in a quicker and less painful recovery for patients. It also allows for other procedures to be performed simultaneously, such as biopsies and assessments of the lymph nodes, which would require additional invasiveness with other approaches.

Most importantly, robotic-assisted bronchoscopy offers patients greater safety. The lungs are like many small balloons, and when navigating the lungs, there is always a risk that one of these will pop or, when making incisions, that air could leak out and cause a complication called pneumothorax. With this new approach, pulmonologists can navigate through the already open airways directly to the lesion, which can significantly minimize those risks by almost 20 percent in some cases and decrease complications
overall. 

Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital is the only hospital In St. Charles County and one of only two hospitals in the St. Louis region offering this robotic-assisted bronchoscopy.

Scott Zuick, MD, is a pulmonologist with an office on the campus of Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Zuick, please call 636.928.WELL.