Spedali Civili

Oncology: robot-assisted diagnosis and surgical treatment under the same anaesthesia

‘Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy’ in Brescia: an international conference dedicated to robotic bronchoscopy – innovation stems from the integration of expertise

by Michela Bezzi*

16 June 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

If Brescia can now be considered one of Europe’s leading centres for robotic bronchoscopy, it is no coincidence. It is the result of a journey that began several years ago, when our group was among the first in Europe to believe in the potential of this technology, visiting pioneering centres in the US, studying its applications and helping to spread robotic bronchoscopy across our continent.

This scientific leadership not only brings international prestige to the city and to the Spedali Civili di Brescia – which were recently recognised as a Comprehensive Cancer Centre by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) – but also has a tangible impact on the quality of care provided to patients.

Multidisciplinary Lung Unit

In fact, we are among the first in Europe to have introduced, in May, within our multidisciplinary Lung Unit, the first procedure that allows, under a single anaesthetic, the diagnosis of a suspicious lung nodule via robotic bronchoscopy and, in the event of immediate confirmation of malignancy, radical surgical treatment during the same surgical session.

What makes this experience even more significant is the use of a single orotracheal intubation tube fitted with an integrated microcamera, which allows continuous visualisation of the airways throughout the procedure. This solution enables the same anaesthetic equipment to be used during both the diagnostic and surgical phases, avoiding the need to replace the tube between the two stages of the procedure and further enhancing patient safety.

The most significant aspect of this experience is that it is not an isolated incident, but is already an integral part of the clinical practice of a large public hospital and is accessible to the public through the National Health Service.

A quick assessment

At a time when there is frequent talk of waiting lists and long delays between diagnosis and treatment, it is important to demonstrate that there are organisational models capable of offering a different approach. When advanced technologies and professionals from different disciplines work as a single team, sharing objectives and pathways, innovation becomes a tool capable of tangibly speeding up the treatment process.

In lung cancer, time is of the essence. Reducing the number of days between the initial suspicion of the diagnosis and the start of treatment helps to alleviate patients’ anxiety, improve the efficiency of the healthcare system and increase the chances of intervening at an early stage of the disease.

This issue is becoming even more relevant with the gradual roll-out of lung cancer screening programmes. Screening will, in fact, make it possible to identify an increasing number of lung nodules at an early stage; the real challenge will be to ensure that this diagnostic capability is matched by an equally rapid pathway to treatment.

All this is made possible by the collaboration between interventional pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, anaesthetists, radiologists, pathologists, highly specialised nurses, technical staff, hospital management and technology partners. It is a model in which innovation does not belong to a single discipline, but arises from the integration of expertise.

Innovation in the National Health Service too

The experience gained at the Spedali Civili shows that even a public hospital – fully integrated into the National Health Service network and deeply rooted in the local community – can be at the forefront of global innovation and offer its citizens some of the most advanced care pathways available today.

This long-term project gave rise, four years ago, to RAB – Robotic Assisted Bronchoscopy, the first international conference entirely dedicated to robotic bronchoscopy, which will take place on 18 and 19 June at the Monastery of San Cristo. RAB is one of the world’s most important events in the sector and returns to Brescia this year. The city will welcome leading international experts from the United States, China, India, Australia, Israel and Europe to discuss the future of early diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of lung cancer, and to demonstrate how research, technological innovation, healthcare organisation and multidisciplinary collaboration can translate into tangible benefits for the public.

*Interventional Pulmonologist and Head of the Pulmonology Department at ASST Spedali Civili in Brescia

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