Single-centre experience of extending indications for percutaneous intraportal islet autotransplantation (PIPIAT) after pancreatic surgery to prevent diabetes: feasibility, radiological aspects, complications and clinical outcome.
OBJECTIVE
Islet allotransplantation is a less invasive alternative to surgical pancreas transplantation for Type 1 diabetes, while percutaneous intraportal islet autotransplantation (PIPIAT) is usually performed after pancreatic surgery to prevent diabetes. Our aim was to assess the feasibility, radiological aspects, complications and clinical outcome of PIPIAT following pancreatic surgery for not only chronic pancreatitis but also benign and malignant nodules.


METHODS
From 2008 to 2012, 41 patients were enrolled for PIPIAT 12-48 h after pancreatic surgery (extended pancreatic surgery for chronic pancreatitis and benign/malignant neoplasms). PIPIAT was performed using a combined ultrasonography and fluoroscopy-guided technique (4-F catheter). PIPIAT feasibility, median follow-up and metabolic (insulin independence rate, graft function based on C-peptide levels) and oncologic outcomes were recorded.


RESULTS
PIPIAT was not performed in 7/41 patients (4 cases for an inadequate islet mass, 2 cases for haemodynamic instability and 1 case for islet culture contamination), while it was successfully performed in 34/34 patients. Procedure-related major complications occurred in four patients: two bleedings requiring transfusions, one patient with left portal vein thrombosis and one patient with sepsis. Median follow-up duration was 546 days. Insulin independence was achieved in 15/34 (44%) patients, partial graft function in 16/34 (47%) patients and no function in 3/34 (9%) patients. None of the 17 patients with malignant nodules developed liver metastases during follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
PIPIAT, performed under ultrasound and fluoroscopy combined guidance and not requiring immunosuppression, is feasible, with a relatively low complication rate and a better metabolic outcome than allotransplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
PIPIAT can prevent pancreatogenic diabetes. Ultrasound is a useful tool for the guidance and monitoring of PIPIAT.
1 Department of Radiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Massimo
M
Venturini
1 Department of Radiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Claudio
C
Sallemi
1 Department of Radiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Caterina
C
Colantoni
1 Department of Radiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Giulia
G
Agostini
2 Department of Pancreatic Surgery, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Gianpaolo
G
Balzano
1 Department of Radiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.|3 Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Antonio
A
Esposito
3 Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.|4 Department of Internal Medicine, Transplant Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Antonio
A
Secchi
1 Department of Radiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.|3 Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Francesco
F
De Cobelli
2 Department of Pancreatic Surgery, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.|3 Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Massimo
M
Falconi
5 Diabetes Research Institute, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Lorenzo
L
Piemonti
4 Department of Internal Medicine, Transplant Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Paola
P
Maffi
1 Department of Radiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.|3 Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Alessandro
A
Del Maschio
D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D010179:Pancreas / Q000601:surgery*; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000601:surgery; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014463:Ultrasonography