Orlando VA Enhances Lung Diagnostics with Robotic Bronchoscopy

“Robotic bronchoscopy is the new addition to our regular bronchoscopies,” said Dr. Nazia Sultana, Section Chief of Pulmonary & Critical Care. “Bronchoscopy is a procedure where we go down with a camera into the windpipe, go to the area of concern, and attempt to biopsy from there.”

Using the ION robotic bronchoscopy platform, Orlando VA’s highly trained pulmonary team plans the procedure using CT imaging and software that creates a navigation map through the airways.

“It’s basically a GPS system,” Sultana said. “We 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.”

Unlike older navigation approaches, the robotic system maintains stability at the target. 

“The robot stays in place once we reached the destination spot and then we pass the instruments and biopsy from the location,” Sultana said. “The accuracy of obtaining the sample is substantially higher.”

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. 

The procedure reflects close collaboration across pulmonology, anesthesia, radiology, nursing, pathology, and biomedical teams. 

“Dr. Joseph Triplet (physician anesthesiologist), the pulmonology team, and I, collaborate as a team to reduce risks,” said Michael Tran, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). 

Tran explained that keeping patients still is critical while the robotic system navigates to the target. “We 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.”

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. 

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. 

“Instead of having Veterans travel, they can come here, get an outpatient procedure, receive state-of-the-art care and go home that day,” Tran said. 

Beyond improving access, the goal is earlier diagnosis and faster treatment for lung conditions especially lung cancer. 

“The idea is to get an early diagnosis of lung cancer with a robust lung cancer screening program and diagnostic accuracy with ION robotic bronchoscopy,” Sultana said. “Early diagnosis means early treatment leading to improved survival rates.” 

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. 

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Established in October 2006, the Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) was designated a 1a facility (most complex) in 2021, with more than 5,660 employees and an annual budget of $1.5B and serves more than 149,000 Veterans in Central Florida. The Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona provides outpatient, inpatient, and emergency services. Lake Nona’s 65-acre medical campus encompasses 134 acute inpatient beds, providing complex Medical/Surgical/Mental Health specialty care, advanced diagnostic services, and a large multispecialty outpatient clinic, as well as a 120-bed Community Living Center, two Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs/Domiciliaries (60-beds located at the Lake Nona Campus and 56 beds at the Lake Baldwin Campus). Outpatient services are provided at a Health Care Center in Viera, a Multispecialty Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Daytona Beach, and five Community-Based Outpatient Clinics located in Clermont, Lake Baldwin, Kissimmee, Deltona, Palm Bay and Tavares.

To learn more about the facilities and services offered by the OVAHCS, please visit: VA Orlando Health Care | Veterans Affairs, subscribe to receive email updates by clicking here, like us on Facebook at: Orlando VA Healthcare System | Facebook, follow us on Instagram at: Orlando VA Healthcare System (@ovahcs) • Instagram photos and videos or on Twitter at: @OVAHCS / Twitter.