These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Total pancreatectomy with and without islet cell transplantation for chronic pancreatitis: a series of 85 consecutive patients.
    Author: Garcea G, Weaver J, Phillips J, Pollard CA, Ilouz SC, Webb MA, Berry DP, Dennison AR.
    Journal: Pancreas; 2009 Jan; 38(1):1-7. PubMed ID: 18665009.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVES: This study examined 85 consecutive patients undergoing total pancreatectomy (+/-islet cell transplant), examining pain relief, insulin requirements, and glycemic control postoperatively. METHODS: A prospective database of all patients undergoing total pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis was used to record preoperative and postoperative details from 1996 to 2006. RESULTS: There were 3 postoperative deaths (1 islet recipient and 2 nonislet patients). The median number of acute admissions for pain fell from 5 to 2 after pancreatectomy, and the median length of stay from 6.2 days to 3.3 days. At 12 months postoperatively, the number of patients on regular opiate analgesia fell from 90.6% to 40.2% and by 5 years to 15.9%. There was a significant reduction in the patients' visual analogue pain score after surgery from 9.7 to 3.7 (P < 0.001). Five patients were insulin independent at 5 years. Median 24-hour insulin requirements were significantly lower in the islet group (15.5 vs 40 units at 5 years postoperatively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Total pancreatectomy is effective in reducing pain and dependence on opioid analgesia in patients with chronic pancreatitis. The addition of an islet cell transplant results in a reduction in 24-hour insulin demands, as well as potentially achieving insulin independence.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]