Pulmonology
Starting from
$1,500
Up to $8,000 depending on centre
Typical duration
3–10 days
Including pre-operative work-up
Partner hospitals
1
Vetted for outcome data & accreditation
Content reviewed for medical accuracy by: Dr. Rodina Ainasoa · Medical Content Writer & Health Communications
Advanced bronchoscopic procedures including endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) for lymph node staging, rigid bronchoscopy for airway obstruction, metallic stenting, and bronchial thermoplasty — performed by specialist interventional pulmonologists. These minimally invasive techniques diagnose and treat complex airway and lung diseases without open surgery.
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Interventional Bronchoscopy
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Reaching small nodules in the outer regions of the lung for biopsy can be done with conventional electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) or with a newer robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform. Here is how the two approaches compare.
| Parameter | Conventional Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy | Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy |
|---|---|---|
| How the bronchoscope is guided | A thin catheter is steered through the airways using an electromagnetic map built from your pre-procedure CT scan. | A robotic system with a steerable catheter is controlled by the physician from a console, offering finer articulation and steadier positioning in the smallest peripheral airways. |
| Published diagnostic yield | Roughly 60-70% for peripheral pulmonary lesions, per peer-reviewed pulmonology literature. | Published series report higher yields, up to roughly 88% with some robotic platforms, though results vary by platform, nodule size, and location — this remains an area of active study. |
| Availability | Widely available at hospitals with interventional pulmonology services. | Offered at a smaller, though growing, number of specialist centres with the robotic platform and a trained interventional pulmonologist. |
| Safety profile | A well-established, favourable safety profile, with pneumothorax and bleeding reported as uncommon complications. | A similarly favourable safety profile in published comparative studies, with complication rates comparable to conventional navigation. |
| Typical procedure setting | Performed under moderate sedation or general anaesthesia, often combined with other diagnostic steps such as EBUS lymph node sampling in the same session. | Also performed under moderate sedation or general anaesthesia; the choice between conventional and robotic-assisted navigation is made by the interventional pulmonologist based on nodule characteristics and platform availability. |
The steps below outline a typical navigational bronchoscopy procedure for sampling a lung nodule. Your interventional pulmonologist will confirm the exact plan based on your imaging and the nodule's location.
Pre-procedure imaging and planning
A recent CT scan of the chest is used to build a virtual roadmap of your airways and pinpoint the location of the nodule or lesion to be sampled, planning the safest route to reach it.
Sedation and bronchoscope insertion
Under moderate sedation or general anaesthesia, a thin bronchoscope is passed through the mouth or nose into the airway, and a steerable catheter is guided toward the target using the electromagnetic or robotic navigation system.
Tissue sampling and, if needed, mediastinal staging
Once the catheter reaches the target area, specialised tools are used to collect tissue or cell samples for biopsy; endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) may be performed in the same session to sample nearby lymph nodes if cancer staging is required.
Recovery and specimen review
You are monitored in a recovery area as sedation wears off, with a chest X-ray typically performed to check for pneumothorax before discharge; biopsy specimens are sent to pathology, with results usually available within several days.
Most patients are observed for several hours after the procedure and discharged the same day once sedation has fully worn off and a follow-up chest X-ray shows no complications, per Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic.
A mild sore throat, hoarseness, or minor blood-tinged sputum from the biopsy site is common and typically resolves on its own; you should avoid driving or operating machinery until sedation has fully cleared.
Most people return to normal, non-strenuous activity within a day or two; your care team will advise if follow-up imaging is needed to monitor the biopsy site or confirm nodule characteristics.
Biopsy and, where performed, EBUS lymph node results are reviewed with your pulmonologist or oncology team to plan next steps; if a sample is inconclusive, a repeat procedure or an alternative biopsy approach may be recommended.
Source: American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST); American Thoracic Society; Mayo Clinic; Cleveland Clinic. Individual recovery varies and is guided by your treating interventional pulmonologist.
Known Risks & Limitations
Source: American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST); American Thoracic Society; Mayo Clinic; Cleveland Clinic; peer-reviewed pulmonology literature. No procedure is without risk; your treating interventional pulmonologist will review your individual case.
Remote case review
Share your chest CT or PET-CT imaging, nodule characteristics, and any prior biopsy attempts with our coordination team, who forward your case to an interventional pulmonologist for an initial suitability review.
Specialist and platform matching
We match you with an accredited hospital and interventional pulmonology team experienced in your specific procedure, including access to a robotic-assisted platform where clinically appropriate and available.
Cost estimate and travel planning
Once your case is reviewed, we issue a consolidated cost estimate covering the procedure, sedation or anaesthesia, and pathology, and help plan a trip length that allows time for recovery and result review before you fly home.
Procedure and monitoring
You attend your bronchoscopy procedure and are monitored afterward with a follow-up chest X-ray before discharge, in line with standard post-procedure safety checks.
Result review and continuity of care
Biopsy and staging results are reviewed with your treating team before you depart, and your full procedure report and pathology results are shared with your home-country physician for ongoing care.
Treatment approaches
Standard Approach
Conventional Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB)
3–10 days
Robotic-Assisted Option
Robotic-Assisted Navigational Bronchoscopy
3–10 days
| Standard | Robotic-Assisted | |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure | Conventional Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB) | Robotic-Assisted Navigational Bronchoscopy |
| Technology | Conventional surgical instruments | Robotic-assisted surgical system with surgeon oversight |
| Availability | Hospital-dependent | Selected hospitals with robotic capability |
| Specialist | Procedure specialist | Specialist with relevant robotic experience |
| Clinical suitability | Case-dependent | Case-dependent |
| Tariff | $1,500–$8,000 | $3,000–$12,000 |
| Duration | 3–10 days | 3–10 days |
Why can robotic-assisted procedures cost more?
Robotic-assisted procedures rely on additional technology and equipment beyond the standard operating platform and clinical team. This additional technology component is generally not included in standard case pricing.
Is robotic-assisted surgery always recommended?
No. Robotic-assisted surgery is not appropriate for every procedure or patient. Availability and suitability are determined by the treating specialist, based on your imaging, clinical condition, and the treating hospital's capabilities.
Average coordinated costs across our partner centres. Final pricing depends on clinical complexity and chosen hospital.
| Country | Avg. cost | vs. cheapest |
|---|---|---|
🇮🇳 India New Delhi · Chennai · Bengaluru · Hyderabad · Mumbai · Kochi | $2,000 | —chevron_right |
🇹🇷 Turkey Istanbul | $5,000 | +150%chevron_right |
Costs are indicative estimates and vary by procedure specifics, hospital, and clinical complexity. Request a personalised estimate for your specific case.
Faridabad, India
Asia's largest private hospital — 2,600 beds, 64 operation theatres, 81 specialties on a 130-acre campus in Delhi NCR. NABH & NABL accredited. Centres of excellence in oncology, cardiac surgery, BMT, organ transplantation, neurosciences, and IVF.
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Beds
EBUS-TBNA (endobronchial ultrasound with transbronchial needle aspiration) is performed entirely through the mouth via a bronchoscope equipped with an ultrasound probe, allowing real-time visualisation and sampling of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes without any skin incision or radiation exposure from fluoroscopy. It is the preferred first-line method for mediastinal staging of lung cancer, with a diagnostic yield of over 90% for accessible nodes, and carries a lower complication risk than CT-guided biopsy for central lesions.
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We are compensated by our partner hospitals — never by patients. You get independent clinical matching, cost transparency, and end-to-end coordination at no cost to you.
