Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has introduced the Middle East’s first robotically assisted bronchoscopy technology to support the diagnosis of lung diseases, including early-stage lung cancer, through a minimally invasive procedure.
The MONARCH robotic bronchoscopy platform enables physicians to access small and difficult-to-reach lung nodules deep within the lungs with greater precision and perform real-time biopsies without the need for open surgery.
The technology has been introduced with the support of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, as part of ongoing efforts to expand the use of advanced healthcare technologies and strengthen early detection and preventive care.
According to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the robotic platform improves physicians’ ability to reach lung nodules that may be difficult to access using conventional bronchoscopy, allowing tissue samples to be collected for diagnosis at earlier stages.
The hospital said that the technology supports more accurate diagnosis and helps clinicians determine appropriate treatment plans while reducing the need for more invasive procedures.
Dr. Georges-Pascal Haber, Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, emphasized that the introduction of robotically assisted bronchoscopy reflects the hospital’s continued investment in advanced medical technologies to improve diagnostic capabilities and patient care.
Dr. Zaid Zoumot, Division Chair of Pulmonary Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, underscored that the technology enables physicians to biopsy small lung nodules that may indicate early-stage lung cancer, when treatment options are generally more effective.
In addition to early-stage lung cancer, the platform can be used to diagnose lung nodules caused by metastatic cancer, benign conditions, infections such as tuberculosis, and inflammatory lung diseases.
According to the hospital, diagnosing lung cancer at Stage 1 can improve survival rates, with outcomes exceeding 70 percent in many cases.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi highlighted that the platform could also support future robotic procedures for treating lung nodules using techniques such as ablation and heat- or cold-based therapies.
The introduction of robotically assisted bronchoscopy expands access to minimally invasive diagnostic technology in the region and supports earlier diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases.
