Surgical team performs Marion County's first-ever cryobiopsy at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital

Ocala, FL — HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital are pleased to announce that Dr. Andrew Seevaratnam, a board-certified pulmonologist, successfully performed the first cryobiopsy in Marion County.

Utilized to diagnose lung cancer, in conjunction with robotic bronchoscopy, the cryo probe freezes the tissue for easier extraction of the lung mass, resulting in a better tissue sample for a pathologist to examine for diagnosis. Dr. Chukwuyem Obia, a pathologist, was part of the surgical team for intra-operative consultation.

“There are so many new targeted therapies to treat lung cancer. We need larger and better-quality tissue samples to diagnose, while also giving medical oncologists the information they need to treat the cancer," Dr. Seevaratnam noted. "This technology enables us to sample peripheral lung nodules and areas that are difficult to reach with standard biopsy techniques. It also helps to diagnose interstitial lung disease. We will absolutely be utilizing the technology for this procedure with future patients.”

HCA Florida Ocala Hospital Vice President of Operations Ryan LaMura added, “We, at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital are proud to bring this innovative cryobiopsy technology to Marion County. In tandem with our robotic bronchoscopy, it is truly on the cutting edge, and another outlet for us to expand our comprehensive lung cancer program to support our local community.”