NEW ORLEANS –
A prospective study in a cadaver model showed that robotic bronchoscopy targeted nodules more effectively than electromagnetic navigation or an ultrathin bronchoscope with radial endobronchial ultrasound (UTB-rEBUS).
“This is really the first study to randomize, blind, and compare procedural outcomes between existing technologies in advanced bronchoscopy,” said Lonny Yarmus, DO, of Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore.
Dr. Yarmus described this study, PRECISION-1, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Chest Physicians. The study was designed to compare the following:
- UTB-rEBUS (3.0 mm outer diameter and 1.7 mm working channel).
- Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (Superdimension version 7.1).
- Robotic bronchoscopy (3.5 mm outer diameter and 2.0-mm working channel).
With all methods, a 21-gauge needle was used. For each nodule, UTB-rEBUS was done first to eliminate potential localization bias. The subsequent order of electromagnetic navigation and robotic bronchoscopy was determined based on block randomization.
Eight bronchoscopists performed a total of 60 procedures using each of the methods to target 20 nodules implanted in cadavers. The nodules were distributed across all lobes, 80% were in the outer third of the lung, and 50% had a positive bronchus sign on computed tomography (CT). The mean nodule size was 16.5 plus or minus 1.5 mm.
The study’s primary endpoint was the ability to localize and puncture target nodules within a maximum of three attempts per method. This includes center, peripheral, and distal punctures of nodules. Cone-beam CT was used to confirm that needles punctured the target lesions. The bronchoscopists were blinded to cone-beam CT results, and a blinded, independent investigator assessed whether nodule punctures were successful. The primary endpoint was met in 25% of UTB-rEBUS procedures, 45% of electromagnetic navigation procedures, and 80% of robotic bronchoscopy procedures.
The study’s secondary endpoint was localization success, which was defined as navigation to within needle biopsy distance of the nodule. This includes center, peripheral, and distal punctures of nodules, as well as adjacent punctures (touching the nodule but not within it). The secondary endpoint was met in 35% of UTB-rEBUS procedures, 65% of electromagnetic navigation procedures, and 90% of robotic bronchoscopy procedures.
The researchers also assessed successful navigation, which was defined as the provider localizing with software or radial ultrasound and passing the needle to make a biopsy attempt. Navigation was successful in 65% of UTB-rEBUS procedures, 85% of electromagnetic navigation procedures, and 100% of robotic bronchoscopy procedures.
“Utilization of robotic bronchoscopy with shape-sensing technology can significantly increase the ability to localize and puncture lesions when compared with standard existing technologies,” Dr. Yarmus said in closing.
He did note that this research was done in a cadaveric model, so “prospective, randomized, and comparative in vivo studies are needed.”
This study was funded by the Association of Interventional Pulmonary Program Directors. Dr. Yarmus disclosed government and societal funding and relationships with Boston Scientific, Veran, Medtronic, Intuitive, Auris, Erbe, Olympus, BD, Rocket, Ambu, Inspire Medical, and AstraZeneca.
SOURCE: Yarmus L et al. CHEST 2019. Abstract, doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2019.08.311.