100. Robotically Assisted Lung Biopsy Successfully Performed at the University Hospital Zurich

Since June 2024, the Interventional Pulmonology Center, in collaboration with the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the University Hospital Zurich, has become the first European center to offer robotically assisted diagnostic bronchoscopies integrated with Cone-Beam CT.

This innovative method makes it possible to integrate the high-precision three-dimensional images of the cone beam CT directly into the control of the robotic bronchoscope. The result is significantly more precise, minimally invasive lung biopsies for suspected lung tumors with reduced side effects for patients.

Thanks to this groundbreaking technology, suspicious lung lesions can be diagnosed at a very early stage – a time when many malignant changes can still be treated curatively. The method has quickly established itself as the primary diagnostic tool for suspected cases of lung cancer in the Department of Pulmonology.

A major advantage of the robot-assisted method is the possibility of performing both a precise diagnosis and, in collaboration with the Clinic for Thoracic Surgery, a curative resection of the affected lung area directly under general anesthesia (so-called “one-stop shop”). This significantly reduces the burden on patients.

Within just 20 weeks, 100 lung biopsies have already been successfully performed – an impressive sign of the high demand for minimally invasive diagnostic procedures. The robot-assisted method also offers the option of examining lymph nodes in the chest cavity, making it a comprehensive and gentle diagnostic solution. Many patients travel from other cantons to the University Hospital Zurich specifically for this examination, as they appreciate the close interdisciplinary cooperation and the precise, early diagnosis that would often not be possible with conventional, manually guided bronchoscopes.

Thanks to this pioneering project, the University Hospital Zurich is taking on a leading role in training and research in the field of interventional pneumology. The University Hospital offers an important training location, particularly with regard to the development of new European centers. The successful implementation of this project was made possible thanks to cooperation with the industry and the support of the Foundation for Applied Cancer Research and the Holcim Foundation Knowledge, which supported the launch of this initiative, which was initially financed by research funds.