The first UK report of robotic-assisted Lymphaticovenous anastomoses (LVA) for the management of lymphoedema

Lymphoedema remains a significant complication following axillary lymph node clearance, affecting at least 20% of breast cancer patients. One of the surgical approaches that has been shown to benefit such patients in a therapeutic setting is lymphaticovenous anastomosis surgery. Robotic-assisted microsurgery has emerged as a promising advancement in this domain, enhancing surgical precision through motion scaling and tremor elimination. We report the first UK case of a robot-assisted lymphaticovenous anastomoses (LVA) using the Symani Surgical System for the management of lymphoedema post axillary node clearance. This report showcases what can be achieved with the combination of the favourable ergonomics of a microsurgical robotic system and a high-quality 3D imaging system.