Patient FAQ

Questions, answered honestly.

Clear information about what to expect — from your first phone call to post-procedure follow-up.

Robotic bronchoscopy — performed with the Ion™ system — uses an ultra-thin, fully articulating catheter to reach small lung nodules with extraordinary precision. It is most often recommended for patients with peripheral pulmonary nodules that are difficult or impossible to biopsy with traditional bronchoscopy.

Yes. Dr. Milan accepts most major South Florida insurance plans and welcomes physician referrals. Our office handles pre-authorization for diagnostic and surgical procedures on your behalf.

Most new patients are scheduled within one to two weeks. Urgent referrals — particularly suspected lung cancer or ICU-related consults — are accommodated same-day or next-day whenever possible.

Outpatient procedures are performed at accredited South Florida surgical centers with full anesthesia support. Inpatient and ICU care is delivered at affiliated hospital systems.

Most patients return home the same day. Mild throat discomfort is common for 24 hours. Final pathology results are typically available within 3–5 business days and reviewed with you in person.

A referral is not required for most consultations, though some insurance plans may request one. Our office can verify your specific coverage before your appointment.

Please bring any recent chest CT or PET scans (on disc if possible), pulmonary function tests, prior biopsy reports, and a list of current medications. Digital records can be uploaded ahead of time.

Management depends on the nodule's size, appearance, growth, and your individual risk factors. Options range from surveillance imaging to robotic biopsy. Dr. Milan will discuss the recommended approach and its rationale in detail.

For many peripheral nodules, robotic bronchoscopy carries a substantially lower risk of pneumothorax (collapsed lung) than transthoracic needle biopsy, while providing comparable diagnostic accuracy.

English and Spanish are spoken by our clinical staff. Additional interpretation services can be arranged if needed.

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