Blog Post

        Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC) plastic surgeons have accomplished a revolutionary first by surgically treating a patient’s lymphedema with a robotic device. This is the first super-microsurgical intervention using “robot hands” in history. The robotic device’s increased precision made it possible to suture vessels as small as 0.3 to 0.8 millimeters in the patient’s arm during the surgery. This technology, developed by Microsure in Eindhoven, transforms the surgeon’s hand movements into smaller, more accurate moves, stabilizing any tremors and reducing the complexity of such sophisticated surgeries. It is said that the patient has made a full recovery, and the surgeons are very happy with the results. This novel procedure was introduced in Barcelona during the 26th World Congress of Lymphology.

A persistent illness called lymphedema, which is defined by a build-up of fluid and consequent swelling, frequently develops as a side effect of treatment for breast cancer. Super-microsurgery, a novel and potentially effective treatment for lymphedema, involves connecting lymphatic and blood vessels to facilitate the movement of lymphatic fluid and minimize swelling. The great precision necessary for this operation makes it notoriously difficult, despite its potential. Only a few number of surgeons worldwide are proficient at doing this procedure by hand.


A ground-breaking answer has been provided with the launch of the Microsure robotic device. Through a partnership between the Maastricht University Medical Center and Eindhoven University of Technology, Microsure has created a surgical robot that enables physicians to carry out super-microsurgeries with unmatched accuracy. This apparatus converts the surgeon’s large hand movements into little ones, which are then carried out by robotic “hands” that are able to steady even the smallest tremor. Super-microsurgical treatments are much easier to perform thanks to this stabilization and precision, which also improve control and lessen the surgeon’s physical and mental strain.


MUMC plastic surgeon Dr. Shan Shan Qiu Shao outlined the benefits of the Microsure gadget. Dr. Shao claims that the robot enables incredibly accurate movements for surgeries that call for a surgical microscope. One major advantage of these intricate and taxing procedures is the capacity to operate on small lymphatic and vascular structures with increased comfort and better results. Furthermore, the Microsure robot’s adaptability allows it to be utilized in microsurgery on a range of vascular diameters, providing more applications and improved patient outcomes.


The technological wizard behind Microsure, Raimondo Cau, expressed happiness and delight at the robotic device’s successful initial application. Cau pointed out that this achievement highlights a significant technological advance in enhancing surgical care. In the future, Microsure hopes to support more intricate microsurgical operations, like tissue reconstructions after tumor excisions. Because there will be fewer difficulties and less need for post-operative care, the improved precision and decreased complication rates that the Microsure device promises will likely improve patient outcomes and save healthcare expenditures.


To sum up, the robotic equipment known as Microsure is a noteworthy development in the field of microsurgery. This technique increases the viability and efficacy of extremely delicate surgical procedures by translating the surgeon’s hand gestures into ultra-precise robotic actions and stabilizing tremors. The effective treatment of lymphedema at MUMC shows how this technology can revolutionize intricate microsurgical procedures, giving patients fresh hope and opening the door for more advancements in surgical care. The cooperative endeavors of healthcare providers and technology developers underscore the continuous advancement of medical practices via the assimilation of state-of-the-art technologies, indicating a future wherein even the most arduous surgical procedures can be executed with heightened ease, accuracy, and safety.