Simultaneous pancreatic-kidney transplantation with bladder drainage and modified enteric drainage-a single-center preliminary experience

Pancreas transplantation: Advantages of a retroperitoneal graft position

INTRODUCTION

In the 50 years since the first pancreas transplant performed at the University of Minnesota, the surgical techniques employed have undergone many modifications. Techniques such as retroperitoneal graft placement have further improved the ability to reproduce the physiology of the «native» pancreas. We herein present our experience of a modified technique for pancreatic transplant, with the organ placed into a fully retroperitoneal position with systemic venous and enteric drainage of the graft by duodeno-duodenostomy.

METHODS

All pancreas transplantations performed between May 2016 and January 2017 were prospectively entered into our transplant database and retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 10 transplants were performed using the retroperitoneal technique (6 men: median age of 41 years [IQR 36-54]). Median cold ischemia times was 10,30h [IQR 5,30-12,10]. The preservation solution used was Celsior (n=7), IGL-1 (n=2), and UW (n=1). No complications related to the new surgical technique were identified. In one patient, transplantectomy at 12h was performed due to graft thrombosis, probably related to ischemic conditions from a donor with prolonged cardio-respiratory arrest. Another procedure was aborted without completing the graft implant due to an intraoperative immediate arterial thrombosis in a patient with severe iliac atheromatosis. No primary pancreas non-function occurred in the remaining 8patients. The median hospital stay was 13,50 days [IQR 10-27].

CONCLUSIONS

Retroperitoneal graft placement appears feasible with easy access for dissection the vascular site; comfortable technical vascular reconstruction; and a decreased risk of intestinal obstruction by separation of the small bowel from the pancreas graft.

Consolidation of enteric drainage for exocrine secretions in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant

INTRODUCTION

Management of the exocrine drainage of the pancreatic graft in simultaneous pancreas kidney (SPK) transplantation has been a matter of debate for years. There is currently a trend toward a more physiological enteric drainage (ED). This study compared short- and long-term complications and graft survival in patients with enteric versus bladder exocrine secretion drainage.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 1995 and November 2005, we performed 75 SPK transplants: 55 with ED and 20 with bladder drainage (BD). The rates of complications and graft survival were monitored over at least 36 months after transplantation.

RESULTS

Mean posttransplant follow-up was 119.5 +/- 6.6 months. Urinary infection, hematuria, reflux pancreatitis, and repeat surgery rates were all significantly higher among the BD area. There was no intergroup difference in rejection rates or in the incidence of graft thrombosis, transplantectomy, anastomotic dehiscence, or intra-abdominal abscesses. Pancreas and kidney graft survival rates were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, ED was more physiological than BD, and was associated with fewer complications.

Surgical techniques for pancreas transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pancreas transplantation reproducibly induces insulin independence in beta-cell penic diabetic patients. The difference between full insulin independence, partial graft function, and graft loss, mostly results from technical failure, graft rejection, and patient death with function graft. The purpose of this review is to examine recent surgical advances and discuss their contribution to improved graft function.

RECENT FINDINGS

Few actual surgical innovations were described in the period reviewed. Duodenoduodenostomy is an interesting option for drainage of digestive secretions, when the pancreas is placed behind the right colon and is oriented cephalad. The main advantage of this technique is easy endoscopic assessment of donor duodenum but, when allograft pancreatectomy is necessary, repair of native duodenum may be troublesome. Selective revascularization of the gastroduodenal artery, at the back-table, possibly improves blood supply to the head of the pancreas graft and duodenal segment. There is no proof that this additional maneuver is always beneficial, although it can be graft saving in case of poor segmental graft perfusion.

SUMMARY

Transplant surgeons should be familiar with all techniques for pancreas transplantation. Long-term graft function is possible only after technically successful pancreas transplantation. There is clearly a need for more objective assessment and standardization of surgical techniques for pancreas transplantation.