Whether you need treatment for lymphedema, or reconstructive surgery after cancer treatment or an injury, Rush’s reconstructive surgeons will create a personalized care plan for you. They’ll help restore your function and appearance and improve your quality of life.
The Rush Approach to Microsurgery and Advanced Reconstructive Surgery
Microsurgeons use powerful microscopes, delicate instruments and advanced robotics to repair tiny blood vessels, nerves and other structures.
At Rush, fellowship-trained microsurgeons provide reconstructive surgery of the face, breast and limbs after cancer treatment or injury. They create a personalized treatment plan for each patient, focused on restoring your quality of life.
Rush University Medical Center is among the first hospitals in the U.S. to use advanced robotic technology for microsurgery. This technology allows our surgeons to operate with greater precision, improving safety and outcomes for patients.
Meet our microsurgery providers
Conditions Treated with Microsurgery at Rush
Lymphatic system: If you’ve developed lymphedema after breast cancer surgery, radiation therapy or injury, microsurgery can provide long-lasting relief. Rush’s skilled microsurgery experts provide lymphovenous bypass and vascularized lymph node transfer procedures to restore the function of your lymphatic system.
Because the structures in lymph system repair can be less than 1 millimeter wide, Rush surgeons may use robotic-assisted surgery to operate safely and precisely. Rush University Medical Center is one of the first hospitals in the U.S. to use new robotics designed for lymph system surgeries.
Nerve repair and functional restoration: If an injury, tumor or other condition has damaged your nerves, microsurgery experts work alongside neurosurgeons and other experts to restore feeling and function.
Cancer reconstruction: Sometimes, cancer treatment can change the way your body looks and functions. Reconstructive surgery can restore your appearance and quality of life.
Rush surgeons use microsurgical techniques for autologous breast reconstruction after mastectomy — a procedure using your own tissue, usually from your abdomen. The result is soft, natural-looking breasts. Our surgeons can also perform lymphatic reconstruction to improve or prevent lymphedema at the same time as breast reconstruction surgery.
Our plastic and reconstructive surgeons also use microsurgical techniques as part of reconstruction after head and neck cancer surgery, Mohs surgery for skin cancer and other reconstructive procedures.
Limb salvage: In some cases, microvascular surgery can preserve limbs that would otherwise need to be amputated. Surgeons transfer tissue to the damaged or infected area and connect it to tiny blood vessels to restore healthy skin and soft tissue to the limb.
Soft-tissue reconstruction: Surgeons use microsurgical techniques to treat and reconstruct tissue after a traumatic injury.
Choosing Rush for Microsurgery and Advanced Reconstructive Surgery
- Personalized treatment: At Rush, your reconstructive treatment plan is customized to your condition, lifestyle, goals and more. Your surgeons and other team members will work together to develop a treatment plan that addresses your symptoms, improves function and gets you as close to your desired goal as possible.
- Advanced robotic technology: Microsurgery requires extreme precision to repair blood vessels, nerves, lymphatic vessels and other small structures. Rush University Medical Center is one of the first hospitals in the U.S. to use advanced robotic technology to achieve greater precision for reconstructive surgeries. This technology refines and scales down the movement of surgeons’ hands to provide safer and more effective microsurgery.
- Dedicated microsurgeons: With multiple fellowship trained microsurgeons, Rush’s reconstructive surgery team has the experience to perform even the most complex procedures.
- Multidisciplinary teams: Reconstructive surgeons at Rush are part of a team of experts working together to treat your condition. Depending on your condition, your team may include neurosurgeons, oncologists, physical rehabilitation experts, physical therapists and other providers. In some cases, it may be possible to have surgery to remove cancer and reconstructive surgery at the same time.
- Leading experts: Rush’s reconstructive surgeons are among the best doctors in Chicago. Many Rush plastic and reconstructive surgery experts are named “Top Doctors” by Castle Connolly, a recognition voted on by fellow doctors for exceptional patient care.
- Follow-up care close to home: Our doctors see patients at multiple locations in Chicago, as well as Oak Park, Oak Brook and Aurora/Fox Valley, with hours that accommodate your busy schedule.
FAQs About Microsurgery & Advanced Reconstructive Surgery
Microsurgery is a type of surgery focused on tiny structures in the body, including arteries, veins, lymph vessels and nerves. Fellowship-trained surgeons use delicate instruments, robotic tools and powerful microscopes to restore injured nerves, reconstruct tissue after cancer surgery or injury, repair lymphatic systems and more.
Microsurgery can be used to treat lymphedema, a condition caused by the buildup of lymphatic fluid. It is also used in reconstructive surgery after cancer treatment, including breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. Microsurgery techniques are also used to repair tissues, nerves and other delicate structures after an injury.
Yes. Microsurgery procedures, lymphovenous bypass and vascularized lymph node transfer, can improve lymphedema symptoms.
You may benefit from seeing a reconstructive surgery specialist if an injury, illness, cancer treatment or a condition you're born with changes the way part of your body looks or works.
Rush reconstructive surgeons can explain your options to restore function and improve appearance. They will help you decide if surgery is right for you.
If you have a planned surgery or cancer treatment, a reconstructive surgeon can develop a reconstruction plan before treatment. Rush surgeons can also help if you’ve had previous reconstructive surgery and you’re not happy with the results.
Yes. Rush provides advanced reconstruction options after cancer treatment. Our reconstructive surgeons specialize in advanced breast reconstruction after mastectomy. They also provide reconstruction after head and neck cancer treatment, bone cancer and skin cancer surgeries.
Our surgeons also specialize in revision surgery. If you’ve had reconstructive surgery elsewhere and aren’t happy with the results, Rush providers can help.