New Technology Empowers Grassroots Care: Jiangmen's First Robot-Guided Lung Nodule Biopsy and Ablation Successfully Performed

Background

Lung nodules are commonly identified on chest CT scans performed for various reasons. Differentiating benign from malignant nodules frequently requires tissue sampling via percutaneous biopsy, followed in some cases by local ablative therapy. Traditional manual techniques for these procedures rely heavily on the operator's experience, particularly when nodules are small, peripherally located or subject to respiratory motion. Risks can include pneumothorax, bleeding and the need for multiple needle passes with associated radiation exposure from repeated imaging.

What was achieved

Recently, under the guidance of the respiratory intervention team from Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital’s Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine led by Director Li Jing, along with Deputy Chief Physician Chen Jingjing, Jiangmen People’s Hospital successfully performed the first case in the Jiangmen region of percutaneous lung nodule biopsy and cryoablation guided by a puncture surgery navigation and positioning system, commonly referred to as a puncture robot. The biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma.

The patient was a 49-year-old female admitted with cough and shortness of breath for over 10 days. Chest CT showed a nodule in the left upper lobe accompanied by scattered miliary lesions in both lungs and elevated tumor markers. Following preoperative multidisciplinary team discussions involving Jiangmen People’s Hospital’s thoracic and pediatric surgery team led by Director Ma Rixin, respiratory and critical care medicine team led by Director Liang Hongwei, imaging, anesthesia and intervention departments, with guidance from the Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital experts, the robotic navigation approach was selected for the primary lesion.

The needle reached the predetermined target in one pass. Cryoablation was then performed, with the ablation operation lasting approximately 25 minutes. Immediate postoperative CT review showed no pneumothorax or active bleeding. The patient’s vital signs were stable, she was able to get out of bed and move about on the same day, and her chest symptoms did not worsen significantly.

How it works

Prior to the procedure, thin-slice CT images are acquired and used to create three-dimensional reconstructions of the patient’s lungs. Artificial intelligence software assists in analyzing the images, identifying the nodule and helping clinicians plan a precise needle trajectory that minimizes risk by avoiding major blood vessels, airways and other critical structures. The robotic navigation and positioning system then registers this plan and provides real-time guidance.

During the intervention, the system displays the advancing needle on a navigation screen, allowing it to proceed smoothly along the planned path directly to the center of the nodule. This enables accurate biopsy sampling for pathology. For treatment, a cryoablation probe is positioned at the site. Extremely low temperatures are applied through the probe to create an ice ball that encompasses and destroys the abnormal tissue. The approach supports a closed-loop process of localization, biopsy, targeted ablation and potential follow-up while reducing the number of adjustments and CT scans required.

What it means for international patients

Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital operates the Concord International Medical Center, established in 1996, which provides one-stop outpatient and inpatient services for international patients, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents, foreigners and those covered by international commercial insurance. The center includes dedicated facilities, multidisciplinary team consultations and has served patients from 151 countries and regions. In 2026 the hospital was selected as one of the first batch of pilot institutions for international medical services in Guangdong Province.

This case illustrates the hospital’s respiratory intervention team’s experience with robotic navigation technology for lung nodule management, which has been maturely applied at the main facility and extended through collaboration to partner sites. International patients considering similar diagnostic or therapeutic procedures should contact the hospital directly to confirm current availability, assess individual eligibility and discuss specific care options.

About the hospital

Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital is a large comprehensive tertiary public hospital located in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. It added the Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences designation in 2009 and hosts the Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute along with other specialized institutes. The hospital maintains national clinical key specialties and has recorded strong results in national performance evaluations of tertiary public hospitals.

It is recognized for expertise in respiratory and critical care medicine, including interventional techniques, as well as cardiovascular care and oncology. The Concord International Medical Center within the hospital was among the earliest such platforms in China to introduce international-standard management models for high-end and overseas patients.