#United States #Richmond #Robotic Surgery #VCU Health #Hume-Lee Transplant

VCU Health's Groundbreaking Use of Robotic Surgery in Kidney Transplants

In the United States, the waitlist for kidney transplants has reached a staggering 92,000 individuals, as reported by the American Kidney Fund. This alarming statistic highlights a critical demand for innovative solutions in the field of organ transplantation. VCU Health's Hume-Lee Transplant Center is at the forefront of this advancement, utilizing cutting-edge single-port robotic surgery to perform living donor kidney transplants. The da Vinci SP® robotic surgical system allows surgeons to operate through a petite five-centimeter incision, marking a significant step forward in minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Dr. Seung Lee, M.D., Ph.D., a leading transplant surgeon, is pioneering the implementation of this robotic system in the Southeast. He performs both living donor nephrectomies and recipient transplantations, showcasing the dual capabilities of this technology. "Kidney transplantation needs are growing, and living donation is a powerful method to save lives," stated Dr. David Bruno, M.D., FACS, the Director of the Hume-Lee Transplant Center. By facilitating less invasive surgery options, VCU Health aims to eliminate barriers to living donation, ultimately enabling more patients to receive the life-saving transplants they desperately need.

Since beginning the use of the da Vinci SP® platform in March 2026, Dr. Lee has expanded its application to living donor nephrectomies, enabling a comprehensive robotic approach to both aspects of the transplant procedure—a feat still rare among medical centers across the country. In discussing the significance of this advancement, Dr. Lee remarked, "Single-port robotic technology is revolutionizing transplant surgery. By minimizing surgical trauma while ensuring precision, we can enhance recovery, reduce complications, and improve the overall experience for both donors and recipients alike."

Minimally invasive surgery is especially advantageous for transplant recipients who often suffer from chronic conditions requiring careful management. These patients experience less surgical stress, reduced pain, and quicker recoveries, which are crucial given their already compromised health. Furthermore, making the donor experience more comfortable is vital in motivating more individuals to consider living donation as a viable option within the organ shortage crisis.

The Hume-Lee Transplant Center proudly stands out as the first transplant program in both Virginia and the Southeast to adopt single-port robotic technology for living kidney donors as well as kidney transplant recipients. This pioneering status reinforces its commitment to surgical innovation and patient-centered care.

For individuals interested in learning more about VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center's revolutionary kidney transplant solutions, detailed information is available on VCU Health's official website.

About VCU and VCU Health

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a significant urban public research institution with notable ratings for its sponsored research initiatives. Nestled in the heart of Richmond, VCU serves over 28,000 students across various degree programs within its twelve schools and three colleges. The VCU Health brand encompasses the university's health sciences academic offerings, the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the broader VCU Health System, which includes the VCU Medical Center, the only academic medical facility in the region, along with Community Memorial Hospital, Tappahannock Hospital, and Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, among others. VCU Health’s collaboration with Sheltering Arms Institute expands the services it provides to encompass physical rehabilitation as well. For further information, please visit vcu.edu and vcuhealth.org.