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<\/a>Using the ION robotic bronchoscopy platform, Orlando VA\u2019s highly trained pulmonary team plans the procedure using CT imaging and software that creates a navigation map through the airways.<\/p>\n\u201cIt\u2019s basically a GPS system,\u201d Sultana said. \u201cWe have an abnormal CT that shows a lung nodule. We make a CD of that, put it into the software, and the software maps out the path. It literally tells us which windpipes to go to reach this location.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unlike older navigation approaches, the robotic system maintains stability at the target.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe robot stays in place once we reached the destination spot and then we pass the instruments and biopsy from the location,\u201d Sultana said. \u201cThe accuracy of obtaining the sample is substantially higher.\u201d<\/p>\n
Orlando VA performed its first robotic bronchoscopy on Oct. 10, 2025, and has since completed twenty procedures, averaging about one to two cases per week as the team continues to build the program. As the team gains experience and efficiency, leaders anticipate more Veterans will benefit and the program may expand in volume over time.<\/p>\n
The procedure reflects close collaboration across pulmonology, anesthesia, radiology, nursing, pathology, and biomedical teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. Joseph Triplet (physician anesthesiologist), the pulmonology team, and I, collaborate as a team to reduce risks,\u201d said Michael Tran, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).<\/p>\n
Tran explained that keeping patients still is critical while the robotic system navigates to the target. \u201cWe need to keep the patient as still as possible. I administer the muscle relaxant, and it keeps the patient safe but allows the pulmonologist to do what they need to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clinicians emphasized that robotic bronchoscopy could reduce complications compared to some traditional approaches, including a lower risk of a collapsed lung, known medically as pneumothorax. The procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis, allowing Veterans to go home the same day after observation, if no complications like pneumothorax or bleeding is suspected.<\/p>\n
The program also improves access for Central Florida Veterans. Previously, some Veterans traveled to other facilities for these advanced diagnostic procedures. Now, they can receive that care locally.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of having Veterans travel, they can come here, get an outpatient procedure, receive state-of-the-art care and go home that day,\u201d Tran said.<\/p>\n
Beyond improving access, the goal is earlier diagnosis and faster treatment for lung conditions especially lung cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea is to get an early diagnosis of lung cancer with a robust lung cancer screening program and diagnostic accuracy with ION robotic bronchoscopy,\u201d Sultana said. \u201cEarly diagnosis means early treatment leading to improved survival rates.\u201d<\/p>\n
With robotic bronchoscopy now available, Orlando VA is expanding access to cutting-edge diagnostics that can mean faster answers, safer procedures, and better outcomes for Veterans.<\/p>\n
Pictured in photo: \u00a0The Orlando VA multidisciplinary team with the ION robotic bronchoscopy system expanding advanced lung care for Veterans. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hansraj Raghunandan serves as the Public Affairs Specialist for the Orlando VA Healthcare System.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Veterans receiving care at the Orlando VA Medical Center now have access to robotic bronchoscopy, an advanced procedure…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":228945,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[102886,1158,102887,66541,15797,139,141,140,31606,43280,999,3393],"class_list":{"0":"post-228944","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-orlando","8":"tag-bronchoscopy","9":"tag-cancer","10":"tag-diagnostics","11":"tag-lung","12":"tag-lung-cancer","13":"tag-orlando","14":"tag-orlando-headlines","15":"tag-orlando-news","16":"tag-orlando-va","17":"tag-robot","18":"tag-robotic","19":"tag-veterans"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228944","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=228944"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228944\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/228945"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=228944"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=228944"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=228944"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}