Fairfield Medical Center is one of just three Ohio hospital systems investing in Intuitive’s ION robotic technology, designed to beat lung cancer in the earliest stages of disease. Historically, small or difficult to assess nodules, or growths, in the lungs have been monitored over the course of months or years to determine whether advanced treatment is warranted. Now, with the ION Endoluminal System, biopsy samples can be taken from small or suspicious nodules located anywhere in the lung almost immediately after detection. The ability to reach these areas with accuracy and precision will lead to earlier diagnosis, faster treatment and better outcomes for those facing a lung cancer diagnosis.
“Unlike common diagnostic methods where a biopsy needle passes through the chest wall and pierces the lung, this robotic-assisted technology is performed from within the patient’s airways,” explained cardiothoracic surgeon and robotic surgery director Tyrone Galbreath, DO. “This means the biopsy is essentially painless with a reduced risk of complications. Our patients will be able to go home the same day as their procedure, and if the sample confirms a cancer diagnosis, we can invite them back to our facility to remove the nodule using additional minimally invasive robotic techniques.”
The ION Endoluminal System allows physicians to access the patient’s airways during a procedure called a bronchoscopy, which is performed by guiding instruments directly down the trachea, or windpipe. The provider then uses advanced imaging and controls to maneuver an ultra-flexible catheter through the twists and turns of the small, branching airways within the lungs. Once the exact location of the nodule has been reached, the catheter is locked in place to ensure stability and precision while a flexible biopsy needle collects samples of the tissue with more accuracy than ever before.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States, and the disease is often diagnosed in late stages when it is incurable or difficult to treat. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a lung nodule, talk to your healthcare provider today about minimally invasive biopsy options. Additionally, if you are at an increased risk for developing lung cancer due to an extensive history of smoking, ask your provider about lung cancer screenings. Financial assistance may be available to those who qualify. For more information, please call 740-687-8134
Learn more about this technology and Fairfield Medical Center’s robotic surgery program.
To refer a patient for expedited robotic bronchoscopy, contact Fairfield Healthcare Professionals Cardiothoracic Surgery at 740-681-9020.
Fairfield Medical Center is excited to announce the implementation of robotic-assisted surgical procedures, an innovative advancement that will benefit patient care.