The Division of Lymphatic Surgery at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine aims to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients affected by lymphedema. Our fellowship-trained microsurgeons specialize in the prevention and treatment of lymphedema through a variety of physiologic and ablative procedures.

Our team offers surgical options for both the prevention and treatment of lymphedema. Prevention of lymphedema is performed through immediate lymphovenous bypass at the time of lymph node dissection or major cancer extirpation, which involves microsurgical anastomosis of a transected lymphatic channel into a nearby vein to re-establish physiologic flow of lymphatic fluid. For patients who come to us with a diagnosis of lymphedema, the first line of treatment is typically delayed lymphovenous bypass, which may be performed with the assistance of our Symani microsurgical robot for increased precision in these technically demanding operations. For more advanced cases, vascularized lymph node or lymph vessel transfers may be recommended.

Our Division is at the forefront of research and innovation. Our team is actively conducting research on prevention of lymphedema through immediate lymphatic reconstruction, implementation of the Symani microsurgical robot for the treatment of lymphedema, and outcomes of delayed lymphovenous bypass. Our research includes patients affected by lymphedema secondary to breast cancer, sarcoma, gynecologic cancer, and cutaneous malignancies, among others.

Microsurgical lymphatic reconstruction is a key component of the University of South Florida Reconstructive Microsurgery Fellowship experience. Our microsurgery fellows will be trained in use of the Symani microsurgical robot and will feel comfortable with all aspects of lymphedema prevention and treatment.