What to expect on the day of your Ion robotic bronchoscopy

If you and your doctor decide a biopsy with the Ion robotic bronchoscopy system is right for you, it’s helpful to understand what to expect the day of your procedure.

How to prepare for a lung biopsy with Ion

The most important thing you can do is to talk to your physician about your procedure and ask any questions you might have. Here’s a list of additional ideas to help you prepare.

Follow all care team instructions

Your care team will provide a list of important instructions to follow. If you haven’t received a list, ask for one.

Check your insurance coverage

To avoid unexpected medical bills, talk to your health insurance provider about your upcoming lung biopsy. Find out what your insurance covers and if you need any preauthorizations.

Dress for comfort

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes for your appointment. Remove all jewelry and watches.

Arrive early

Ask your physician when you should arrive for your procedure and be sure to arrive on time.

Get ready for check-in

Bring your identification, insurance cards, a copy of your advance healthcare directive, if needed. Also bring a form of payment to cover any copayments that your insurance may require.

What happens during an Ion biopsy procedure

You’ll receive general anesthesia, which will allow you to sleep through your biopsy. Once you’re asleep, your doctor will guide Ion’s ultrathin catheter through your mouth and into your lung. When the catheter reaches the nodule, your doctor will lock it in place and insert a biopsy tool through the catheter to take samples of the nodule. A specialist will examine the sample under a microscope to see if cancer cells are present. Click on the links to learn more about lung biopsies and the Ion bronchoscopy system.


Recovery after a lung biopsy with Ion

Your doctor may share an after-care checklist, but no two people are alike. Be sure to tell your doctor about your situation—your work and family demands, exercise habits, and activities that are important to you. By being specific, your doctor can let you know what you’ll need to do differently during recovery and when you can expect to get back to normal activities. Here are some questions you can ask:

  • What kind of care will I need when I get home?
  • Will I have any food or drink restrictions and for how long? Are there foods you recommend?
  • What activity restrictions do I need to be aware of, i.e., sitting in a chair, lifting, having sex, climbing stairs?
  • How long before I can return to work or resume my usual activities?
  • How long before I can start exercising again?

Results of your Ion lung biopsy
Ask your health care team when you can expect the results of your biopsy. Your doctor may call to discuss your results or may ask you to make a follow-up appointment to go over them in person. The lung biopsy page provides more information.

Combined biopsy and surgery procedures
Your doctor may use rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE), which allows for a preliminary evaluation of the biopsied tissue sample. In some hospitals, when it has been determined that cancer is present, patients may be able to undergo lung surgery with the da Vinci surgical system while still under anesthesia from the Ion biopsy. Doctors call this a single-anesthesia event, meaning that you have anesthesia one time for both procedures.

Your care journey