S.H. Hyon

Effect of the embolization of completely unpurified islets on portal vein pressure and hepatic biochemistry in clinical practice.

Here we report on the impact of completely unpurified islet transplantation on the portal vein pressure (PVP) and the hepatic biochemistry in the peritransplant period and on follow-up. Type I diabetic patients underwent simultaneous kidney and islet transplantation. Islets were not purified from the acinar tissue to prevent loss of endocrine mass. Each patient received a mean 521,846 ± 201,539.4 islet equivalents (7812.1 islet equivalents/kg/recipient). Immunosuppression and peritransplant medication were given according to the Giessen protocol. The islets were injected into the left hepatic lobe through the umbilical vein. PVP was recorded at time 0 and every 5 min throughout cell infusion. Liver function was assessed daily for the first 10 days, and on follow-up. Basal, peak, and final PVP were 12 ± 3.8, 25.1 ± 7.9, and 19.5 ± 6.2 mmHg, respectively (basal vs. final, p < 0.05). Bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, prothrombin time, and APTT stayed within normal range. Peak aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and serum amylase were 109.4 ± 61.2 IU/L (basal vs. peak, not significant), 79.5 ± 56.9 IU/L (basal vs. peak, not significant), and 887.5 ± 153.6 IU/L (basal vs. peak, p = 0.02), respectively. In all cases AST, ALT, and amylase normalized within 6 days posttransplant and remained so on follow-up (longest control, 33 months posttransplant). Although the intrahepatic infusion of unpurified pancreatic islets affects both the portal vein pressure and the hepatic biochemical profile, this effect is transient and does not compromise the safety of the procedure.

Initial experience with clinical islet transplantation in Argentina.

WHOLE pancreas transplantation may be the best therapeutic option for type I diabetic patients in advanced stages of their disease. However, those patients who are not eligible for whole pancreas transplantation may still benefit from pancreatic cell transplantation, which in spite of its lower rate of insulin independence, involves a minor surgical procedure and a lower posttransplant risk. We herein report our initial experience on pancreatic islet transplantation at a kidney and pancreas transplantation program based in Argentina since 1995.

Percutaneous Biliary Balloon Dilation: Impact of an Institutional Three-Session Protocol on Patients with Benign Anastomotic Strictures of Hepatojejunostomy

Background: Percutaneous biliary balloon dilation (PBBD) stands as a safe, useful, and inexpensive treatment procedure performed on patients with benign anastomotic stricture of Roux-en-Y hepatojejunostomy (BASH). However, the optimal mode of application is still under discussion. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including patients admitted between 2008 and 2015 with diagnosis of BASH. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group I (n = 22), included patients treated after the implementation of an institutional protocol of 3 PBBD sessions within a fixed time interval and group II (n = 24) consisted of our historical control of patients who underwent one or 2 dilation sessions. Patency at one-year post procedure was assessed with the classification proposed by Schweizer. Symptomatic response to treatment was analyzed using the Terblanche classification. Results: Patients in group I exhibited more excellent/good results (90 vs. 50%, p = 0.003) and less poor results (5 vs. 42%, p = 0.005) according to the Schweizer classification and more grade I/excellent results according to Terblanche classification (p = 0.003). Additionally, group I showed lower serum total bilirubin (p = 0.001), direct bilirubin (p = 0.002), alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.322), aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.029), and alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.006). Conclusion: A protocol of 3 consecutive PBBD sessions within a fixed time interval may yield a high rate of patency, with a positive clinical, biochemical, and radiological impact on patients with BASH.

The perenal retroperitoneum as an alternative site for pancreatic islets tansplantation

I SLETS OF Langerhans are currently being used to treat type I diabetic patients as an alternative to the vascularized pancreas transplant.” Islet functionality may depend on a variety of factors such as the host’s immunologic response, the quality and number of islets, and the implant site. The latter should provide the adequate milieu (eg, vascularization and nutrition) to maximize the chances for cell engraftment.4,s The aim of this work was to evaluate the prerenal peritoneum as a receptor site for pancreatic islets in a pancreatectomized pig.