Fast Track Pathway for Lung Cancer: The Integration of ION Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy With Robotic Thoracic...

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Thoracic Surgery
• Medical Robotics

Background:

• Delays in early-stage lung cancer diagnosis and treatment can worsen prognosis and increase patient anxiety.
• Advancements in robotic-assisted bronchoscopy and surgery offer potential for streamlined care and reduced treatment timelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility, safety, and diagnostic performance of an integrated Fast Track protocol.
• The protocol combines ION robotic-assisted bronchoscopy with radioactive marker placement and robotic surgical resection for pulmonary nodules.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 10 patients undergoing the Fast Track protocol (Dec 2024 - Mar 2025).
• Protocol included imaging (Day 1), bronchoscopy with biopsy and marker placement (Day 2), and robotic resection (Day 3).
• Primary outcomes: diagnostic yield and need for wedge resection; secondary: localization accuracy, perioperative results, complications.

Main Results:

• 90% diagnostic yield from bronchoscopy; 100% localization success.
• Robotic resection (9 lobectomies, 1 segmentectomy) performed day after bronchoscopy.
• No procedural complications; median hospital stay of six days.

Conclusions:

• The integrated Fast Track pathway is feasible, safe, and effective for expediting diagnosis and treatment in early-stage lung cancer.
• The protocol enhances clinical efficiency by consolidating diagnostic and therapeutic steps with high accuracy.
• Broader validation in larger multicenter studies is warranted due to the small sample size.