By Leigh Farmer

VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center is the first transplant center in the world to use a technology that ensures living donors can go back to their lives faster and without complication.

In the quest to encourage living donation, surgeons performed the world’s first living donor liver retrieval, known as a hepatectomy, using state-of-the-art robotic technology. This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant leap in minimally invasive transplant surgery, setting a new standard for precision, safety and care for living donors. 

“Living organ donors are the true heroes. It is of the utmost importance that we take every step to make their experience as comfortable as possible. With this robot, we can achieve that goal and save more lives,” said David Bruno, M.D., FACS, director of Hume-Lee Transplant Center. 

Yuzuru Sambommatsu, M.D., a transplant surgeon at VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center, assists at the bedside of the living liver donor. (Allen Jones, Enterprise Marketing and Communications) 

The robot, da Vinci 5, offers the latest advancements to surgeons so that they may deliver an unparalleled experience for living donors. From smaller incisions and faster recovery times to reduced discomfort and improved cosmetic outcomes, this revolutionary technology transforms what it means to give the gift of life. 

“The da Vinci 5 is truly the future of living donor surgery. Its advanced technology allows us to perform complex procedures with less impact on the donor. With this robot, we’ll see faster recoveries, minimal scarring, and an overall improved experience for our donors,” said Seung Duk Lee, M.D., Ph.D., associate surgical director of living liver donor transplant.