Find expert answers to your health questions

Dr. Benjamin Samstein, MD

Bio

Clinical Specialties
Hepatobililary surgery
Laparoscopic liver surgery
Liver transplantation
Kidney transplantation
Pancreas transplantation

Research Interests
Minimally invasive liver donation
Liver regeneration
Innate immunity
B cell immunology

Specialties:

Affiliation:

  • Columbia University Department of Surgery

Location:

Activity

  • Benjamin Samstein, MD
    Benjamin Samstein, MD has posted a blog entry: Dr. Samstein Featured on Blog Talk Radio: Living Donor Transplantations in NY MED
    The first season of NY Med became a platform for an important issue in the medical community: organ donation. The shortage of organ donations is a well-known challenge among medical professionals across the country. In the United States alone, this year there are over 18,000 people waiting for a liver...Full Post
  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Surgery:
    'Sharps' Injuries Pose Serious Hazard for Surgeons, O.R. Staff

    THURSDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Injuries caused by sharp medical instruments are a major hazard for surgeons and other operating room staff, and put them at risk for infection with serious diseases, according to experts.

    Nearly 400,000 "sharps" injuries occur each year in the United...Full Article

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Surgery:
    Accidental Awareness During Anesthesia Is Rare, Study Finds

    TUESDAY, March 12 (HealthDay News) -- Very few surgical patients experience accidental awareness while under general anesthesia, according to a new study.

    The Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland surveyed all senior anesthetists ...Full Article

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Surgery:
    Preventable Surgical Errors Continue to Occur: Study

    FRIDAY, Dec. 21 (HealthDay News) -- At least 4,000 surgical errors called "never events" occur in the United States each year, according to a new study.

    Never events are mistakes that should never happen during surgery, such as leaving objects inside patients, performing the wrong procedu...Full Article

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Surgery:
    Many Surgical Complications Occur After Patients Go Home

    MONDAY, Nov. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Problems that occur after a patient has been discharged from the hospital account for a large number of complications after general surgery, a new study finds.

    Researchers analyzed national data on more than 550,000 U.S. patients (average age 55) who ha...Full Article

  • Benjamin Samstein, MD
    Benjamin Samstein, MD of Columbia University Department of Surgery answered:
    What are the criteria for a living donor for liver transplant?
    Living donors must be ages 20-60 usually. They must be in good general health with no significant...  Full Post
  • Benjamin Samstein, MD
    Benjamin Samstein, MD of Columbia University Department of Surgery answered:
    How is hepatitis C (HCV) treated?
    Treatment for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has typically been treated with interferon and Ribavirin. This year two new therapies with improved effectiveness have been approved for the treatment of Hepatitis C, boceprevir and telaprevir. These new drugs are used in conjunction with interferon and...  Full Post
  • Benjamin Samstein, MD
    Benjamin Samstein, MD of Columbia University Department of Surgery answered:
    What are the symptoms of liver disease?
    Each patient’s liver disease can develop differently. Some symptoms of deteriorating liver function are fatigue, forgetfulness or mental confusion, loss of consciousness (coma), sleep reversal (inability to sleep at night, but wanting to sleep all day), ascites (fluid in the abdomen), spontaneous bacterial...  Full Post
  • Benjamin Samstein, MD
    Benjamin Samstein, MD of Columbia University Department of Surgery answered:
    What is hepatitis C (HCV)?

    Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and can be transmitted through blood contact. Because of the lack of symptoms during early stages, hepatitis C is usually not diagnosed until its damage is well advanced.

     Full Post
  • Benjamin Samstein, MD
    Benjamin Samstein, MD of Columbia University Department of Surgery answered:
    What is hepatitis?
    Hepatitis literally means inflammation of the liver, and refers to a group of conditions that may be caused by one of many viruses. Hepatitis can be inherited, acquired or brought on by excessive alcohol consumption. The most well known forms of hepatitis are hepatitis B and hepatitis C.  Full Post
  • Benjamin Samstein, MD
    Benjamin Samstein, MD of Columbia University Department of Surgery answered:
    How is hepatitis B treated?
    The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is treated with antiviral or immunomodulatory therapy. Currently approved therapies include standard interferon, lamivudine, adefovir, and entecavir. In 2011,  the vast majority of people with hepatitis B can be cleared of the virus with medications.   Full Post
  • Benjamin Samstein, MD
    Benjamin Samstein, MD of Columbia University Department of Surgery answered:
    What is hepatitis B?
    Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and can be transmitted through blood contact. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis (deterioration of the liver where scar tissue replaces healthy tissue and impedes blood-flow through the liver) and also liver cancer.  Full Post
  • Benjamin Samstein, MD
    Benjamin Samstein, MD of Columbia University Department of Surgery answered:
    How is hepatitis diagnosed?
    Although the treatment for hepatitis B and hepatitis C is different, they are both diagnosed through blood tests.  Full Post
  • Benjamin Samstein, MD
    Benjamin Samstein, MD of Columbia University Department of Surgery answered:
    What is cirrhosis?
    Cirrhosis is the scarring of the liver over a period of time, which in turn impedes blood flow in the liver. Cirrhosis is usually caused by chronic hepatitis or excessive alcohol consumption.  Full Post
  • Benjamin Samstein, MD
    Benjamin Samstein, MD of Columbia University Department of Surgery answered:
    What is cirrhosis?
    Cirrhosis is the scarring of the liver over a period of time, which in turn impedes blood flow in the liver. Cirrhosis is usually caused by chronic hepatitis or excessive alcohol consumption.  Full Post