Mercy Hospital Fort Smith announced Monday that it has introduced robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, which offers patients a safer, more precise way to evaluate and diagnose suspicious lung nodules. This advanced technology enhances early detection for lung disease while reducing the need for invasive procedures, according to a press release from Mercy.
In late January, Dr. Daphne MacBruce and Dr. Michael Winterton performed the first robotic bronchoscopy procedures at Mercy Fort Smith.
“Having a robotic-assisted bronchoscopy at Mercy allows patients to avoid more invasive procedures and unnecessary surgeries,” said Dr. Paul Bean, chief medical officer at Mercy Fort Smith. “This technology brings a new level of precision to lung diagnostics.”
Robotic bronchoscopy is recommended for patients with suspicious lung nodules. Like traditional bronchoscopy, it is a non-surgical procedure requiring no incisions and no overnight hospital stay. Using an ultrathin, highly maneuverable instrument, the surgeon navigates the airways to closely examine the lungs. If needed, a bronchoscopy biopsy can be performed during the same procedure to collect tissue for diagnosis.
Mercy Fort Smith’s new system uses the Ion robotic bronchoscopy platform, which is especially effective in reaching small or hard-to-access lung nodules. The software generates a detailed map of the patient’s airways using CT scans, displaying precise pathways that guide the surgeon directly to the target area.
Mercy previously introduced the Ion procedure in other communities, including Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas in 2024.
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