Shape-Sensing Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopic Microwave Ablation for Primary and Metastatic Pulmonary Nodules: Retrospective Case Series.

Background

Bronchoscopic thermal ablation has emerged as a minimally invasive therapeutic option for managing pulmonary nodules in patients unsuitable for surgery or radiotherapy. Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (RAB) offers enhanced stability and precise navigation, potentially improving the safety and accuracy of bronchoscopic ablation. However, clinical data on RAB-guided microwave ablation (MWA) remains limited. Therefore, further evidence is needed to evaluate its feasibility, safety, and early therapeutic performance.

Methods

We conducted a single-center retrospective feasibility study of shape-sensing RAB-guided MWA (ssRAB-MWA) for pulmonary nodules between October 2024 and September 2025. Eligible lesions (≤3.0 cm) included both primary lung cancers and metastatic nodules. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia using the ssRAB system integrated with cone-beam CT for intra-procedural confirmation. Technical success, safety outcomes, and short-term efficacy were assessed.

Results

Nine patients (with 11 lesions: 3 primary, 8 metastatic) underwent ssRAB-MWA with 100% technical success. The median ablation time per nodule was 10 min (range, 1-26). One patient developed post-ablation pneumonia requiring hospitalization; no pneumothorax, major bleeding, or airway injury occurred. All lesions exhibited a transient increase in size immediately following MWA, followed by gradual reduction or stabilization over time. PET-CT evaluation demonstrated metabolic remission in primary lesions, with one patient achieving pathologic complete response after surgery.

Conclusions

ssRAB-MWA appears to be a feasible and safe navigation-guided technique for small pulmonary lesions, offering encouraging early local control in both primary and metastatic lung cancers. This platform may expand the therapeutic spectrum of interventional pulmonology, bridging diagnosis and local therapy. Larger multicenter studies are warranted to validate long-term outcomes.