Robot-Assisted surgery trial aims to ease swelling in head and neck lymphedema

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. At least 22 years of age 2. Patients with acquired head and neck lymphedema with external lymphedema or both external and internal lymphedema 3. Patient agrees to participate in the study, return for all required follow-up visits, complete all study procedures, and has willingly provided written informed consent after receiving all information related to the study, its requirements, and the robotic-assisted procedure 4. Patient has a clinical indication for a microsurgical anastomosis of vessels between 0.1 and 2.5 mm in conjunction with lymphatic reconstruction of the head and neck 5. Patient has been compliant with complete decongestive therapy (CDT) for at least 4 weeks 6. Patient has undergone lymphatic mapping of the head and neck and functional lymphatic structures for reconstruction have been identified 7. Investigator deems the candidate acceptable for lymphatic reconstruction with a robotic-assisted microsurgical anastomosis in accordance with the Symani System's Instructions for Use (IFU) 8. Willingness to comply with recommended regimen of self-care, with consistent use of manual lymph drainage and/or appropriately sized compression garments from screening through the entire study duration (through the 6-month follow-up visit). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patient who is incapable and/or unwilling to provide informed consent 2. Patients with irreversible head and neck lymphedema, defined as stage 3 of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema Rating Scale 3. Active systemic infection under treatment with intravenous antibiotics 4. Clinically significant cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, endocrine, or central nervous system disorders, previous mental disorders, or other disorders that may significantly affect the data collection or the ability to comply with the protocol per the investigator's discretion 5. Known history of significant bleeding, coagulopathy, or Von Willebrand's disease 6. Currently receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy (uncontrolled tumor) 7. A history of malignancy or cancer treatment within the past 6 months (tumor control) 8. Patient with unsatisfactory manual lymphatic drainage and/or compression garments for at least six months 9. Patient with prior lymphatic reconstruction in the targeted head \& neck area 10. Patient's lymphatic disease is due to lipedema 11. Patients with other medical conditions that could result in symptoms which overlap symptoms of lymphedema (e.g., thrombosis in the external or internal jugular vein) 12. Current infection in the head \& neck area in which lymphedema is present 13. Currently enrolled in any other investigational clinical studies that the investigator believes may impact patient safety or outcomes 14. Patient is ineligible to participate for other reasons in the judgement of the investigator