Dr. Benjamin Samstein, a pioneer in minimally invasive liver donor surgery (hepatectomy), appeared on an ABC News Healthfirst segment on May 27, 2010. The segment profiled a father who donated a portion of his liver to his young child, who suffered from liver failure. Until recently, living donor hepatectomy involved a 25 centimeter incision extending from chest to navel. Newly introduced minimally invasive donor surgery involves several 1-inch incisions instead. The result is much less pain and recovery time for the donor. The procedure is a boon for living liver donors, who are often a parent donating a portion of their liver to their child–a parent who must care for the child immediately after surgery.
Video from ABC News 12: Flint, Michigan
