In Savannah, Georgia, medical professionals are pioneering advanced methods in the fight against lung cancer, showcasing a cutting-edge robotic system that enhances precision in treatment. This innovative technique, known as the Monarch procedure, was demonstrated on Thursday by doctors determined to improve outcomes for lung cancer patients.

Standing at the forefront of this medical breakthrough, St. Joseph’s/Candler is among the select few hospitals nationwide employing the Monarch procedure. This advanced technology surpasses traditional imaging techniques by offering a more accurate pinpointing of lung cancer locations, potentially transforming the way this deadly disease is diagnosed and treated.

In a unique opportunity, Dr. Douglas Mullins allowed to witness the procedure in action during Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung cancer holds the grim title of the deadliest cancer worldwide, making such advancements crucial. Dr. Mullins, who has performed approximately 1,600 of these procedures, demonstrated his expertise and the life-saving potential of this technology.

Guiding the robotic system is akin to playing a video game. The device Dr. Mullins uses bears resemblance to a game controller, while the screen displays imagery akin to a Google map, providing a comprehensive view of the lungs’ interior.

During the procedure, a patient presented with a small nodule or lump in the lungs, initially identified through routine lung cancer screening. This innovative approach promises more accurate diagnosis and treatment, offering new hope to patients battling this formidable disease.

“We have a high suspicion that that nodule is cancer,” Dr. Mullins said. “The nodule is very, very small. So that makes it difficult for a surgeon using the DA Vinci Robot to easily find it.”

Mullins told News 3 that this groundbreaking tech allows them to locate the nodule and mark it, so the surgeon knows exactly how much of the area to remove.

“There are very few places in the country that are doing that, but it is gaining traction as we recognize that being able to leverage these technologies to diagnose smaller and smaller nodules and to do more and more limited surgeries so that patients have a quick recovery, short hospital stay, and small incisions,” Mullins said.

According to Dr. Mullins, doctors might have had a 10-15% chance of being able to randomly make a biopsy with a procedure. Now, accuracy is over 90% and much safer.

Dr. Mullins said giving the patients treatment options and getting them back to their routine is what brings him the most joy.

“Every patient that has this procedure done is absolutely thrilled,” Mullins said. “They recognize that something special has happened. Somehow, they had something that was very small that frequently is in other institutions, not even recognized as being a problem. A lot of times, these things are sort of ignored or presumed to be benign. But at our center, we have a lot of expertise and experience identifying things that may look small and harmless.”

Dr. Mullins encourages everyone to consider if they are a candidate for screenings as a preventative measure, whether you’re a smoker or have a family history of lung cancer.