By Shea Wright 

With only 6% of obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) practicing in rural areas, women considering complex surgery face more than just medical decisions. There’s also a host of other factors they must consider, like scheduling the procedure around childcare and planning for recovery at home.  

But often the answer to one question influences all these decisions: How far am I willing to travel for medical care? That’s because up until recently, advanced gynecologic procedures were limited for women, particularly in Southside Virginia.  

VCU Health recognized this deficit and increased access for patients in the region by investing in the new da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System at VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital (CMH). This minimally invasive robotic technology is beginning to make an impact for women who need the care, allowing them a quicker return to normalcy and good health. 

Kwadwo Baryeh, M.D., is an OB-GYN at VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital. (Contributed photo)

“We wanted patients to have options closer to where they live and work,” said  Kwadwo Baryeh, M.D., an OB-GYN at CMH. “Before the robotic option was available, a patient coming in for abdominal hysterectomy surgery would have an extended hospital stay for a 2 to 3 day stay post-operation. Now, thanks to robotic surgery, these patients can come in, get life changing surgery, and go home the same day or within 24 hours. For a mother, a daughter, a caregiver – that means less time off work and away from their families. 

VCU Health News sat down with Baryeh to learn more about CMH’s new program and what it can offer women in rural Virginia. 

What is gynecologic robotic surgery, and how is the technology used at CMH? 

This type of gynecologic surgery is a type of minimally invasive technology that uses a robotic system during the procedure. Think of it as a high-tech extension of the surgeon’s own hands.  

The physician sits at a console that provides a 3-dimentional, high-definition view of the pelvis. Their hand and wrist movements control the robot’s four arms that include tiny instruments, which can rotate more precisely than the human hand. That means smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery. 

What procedures are being performed with robotic surgical systems at CMH? 

With the da Vinci robotic system we can perform a variety of different gynecological surgeries, including hysterectomies and myomectomies (fibroid removal), and prolapse repairs providing patients with a minimally invasive option for complex cases. 

What steps go into preparing a patient for robotic surgery? 

We want to help women plan every step, medical and personal, so recovery is as smooth as possible. And that starts with talking with your OB-GYN about sensitive topics like pain, incontinence, number of surgeries and scarring, to name a few. It can be uncomfortable, but our goal is to help each patient feel heard and ultimately make the process less stressful.  

Prior to surgery, the patient meets with our pre-surgical team in the hospital to get all necessary blood work scheduled. On the day of surgery, each patient will be seen by me, the anesthetist, and the perioperative staff to reaffirm details of the procedure and calm any nerves. Typically, surgeries last from 2 to 3 hours. Most patients can go home on the same day if the surgery is done in the morning.  

What does recovery look like for patients who undergo robotic surgery procedures? 

Each patient is different, but recovery time is shorter with decreased scarring and pain compared to traditional surgery because of smaller incisions. For many patients, especially those who’ve had cesarean sections in the past or who have endometriosis, robotic surgery offers a gentler recovery and a faster return to daily life, as soon as the next day in some cases.  

Why is it important that CMH offers robotic surgery for women living in rural areas? 

For rural patients, shorter procedures and recovery times make all the difference. It lessens the physical, financial and logistical burdens that women face. CMH continues to expand what’s possible for patients with compassionate, high-quality robotic surgery and care right here in our own community, and I am proud to be a part of the team leading this change. 

In addition to women’s gynecological services, CMH’s robotic team plans to offer gallbladder removal, hernia repairs, and other general surgeries in the coming months.

Discover more about VCU Health’s latest innovations in robotic-assisted services.

Learn how VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital is redefining community care with robotic surgery.