In a groundbreaking surgery conducted on Wednesday, April 17, a combination of the Da Vinci Xi surgical system and MMI’s Symani surgical system was employed. Collaborating with abdominal surgeon Dr. Martijn Schoneveld, the plastic and reconstructive surgery team carried out a fully robotic lymph node transplant under the supervision of Professor Moustapha Hamdi, Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery at UZ Brussel [1].

Figure 1. Dual Robotic Surgery. (Credit: Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

Figure 1 shows the first-ever dual robotic surgery. Dr. Martijn Schoneveld, abdominal surgeon, explained the initial step of using the Da Vinci Xi system to extract a portion of the peritoneal fold near the stomach in a patient suffering from lymphoedema post breast cancer surgery [2]. This robotic approach allowed for precise tissue harvesting with minimal scarring, ensuring meticulous handling of blood vessels and lymph node tissue during reimplantation in the armpit, critical for the surgery's success.

Professor Moustapha Hamdi elaborated on the subsequent stage, wherein the plastic surgeon transplanted the flap to the armpit using MMI’s Symani surgical system. This procedure aimed to facilitate lymphatic drainage from the upper limb, potentially reducing swelling and pain associated with lymphoedema [1].

Professor Alexandru Nistor, a plastic surgeon, emphasized the significance of the microsurgery robot in delicate procedures like connecting blood vessels or lymphatic vessels, particularly in patients with lymphoedema or breast cancer. The Symani robotic system ensured unparalleled precision in connecting small delicate vessels, minimizing patient risk and optimizing transplant success rates.

Advancements in Robotic Solutions for Lymphoedema Management

UZ Brussel, in 2018, pioneered robotic-assisted lymph node transplantation in Europe. Under the leadership of Professor Moustapha Hamdi and abdominal surgeon Dr. Van Eetvelde, lymph nodes were extracted from the abdomen for transplantation to the armpit [2].

Building upon this achievement, the introduction of a micro and super microsurgery robot last year marked another milestone in lymphoedema treatment, particularly for connecting lymphatic vessels to veins. This technological innovation drastically enhanced precision by scaling down surgeon hand movements and filtering out vibrations, resulting in reduced tissue damage and accelerated patient recovery.

Addressing the Impact of Lymphoedema on Quality of Life

Lymphoedema, characterized by swelling in an arm or leg, poses a significant quality of life challenge. Whether stemming from congenital factors or cancer treatment, the accumulation of lymph fluid due to disrupted drainage processes can lead to functional impairments. Approximately 30% of breast cancer patients experience lymphoedema, highlighting the urgency of effective treatment strategies.

Source: Vrije Universiteit Brussel

References:

1. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-05-surgeons-dual-robotic-surgery-patient.html
2. https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2024/04/19/robot-surgery-uz-brussel-operation/

Cite this article:

Hana M (2024), Milestone Achievement: UZ Brussel Conducts Groundbreaking Dual Robotic Surgery for Patient with Post-Breast Surgery Lymphoedema, AnaTechMaz, pp. 20