Quality of life and metabolic outcomes after total pancreatectomy and simultaneous islet autotransplantation

Pancreas surgery is complicated and associated with substantial risks and even danger of death. The surgical removal of the whole pancreas can be necessary for some indications but results in a severe form of diabetes. The method of islet autotransplantation (IAT) involves taking the pancreas, isolating the insulin-producing cells and returning these to the patient. This helps to preserve insulin production and minimises the impact of diabetes. We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of patients undergoing pancreatectomy that were simultaneously treated with IAT. The analysis included short-term and long-term surgical and diabetes-related outcomes as well as quality of life. All parameters indicated the benefit of IAT in patients that require extensive pancreas surgery. Offering IAT to patients may reduce surgical complications after pancreatectomy, enhance recovery, and therefore facilitate faster initiation of other therapies where needed.