Search Results (6)

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a fibro-inflammatory condition defined by permanent anatomical changes in the pancreas. The causes of CP are described by the TIGAR-O classification system: toxin-related, idiopathic, genetic mutations, autoimmune disorders, episodes of recurrent acute pancreatitis, and obstructions. Pain is multifactorial in nature, and common psychopathological consequences of CP, including depression and anxiety, complicate the clinical picture of chronic pancreatitis. As a result, the quality of life of patients with CP is decreased. This review describes the pathophysiology of pain and its relationship to underlying psychological consequences, with a focus on a long-term, holistic management approach. Strategies that combine physical and psychological management align with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). CP predominantly affects patients from low socioeconomic backgrounds due to disparities in medical care, underscoring the relevance of achieving SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). This review emphasizes the importance of targeted research in developing a holistic care model for CP that aligns with the SDGs. Full article

Background/Objectives: The impact of surgical resection for chronic pancreatitis on subsequent endocrine outcomes remains unclear. Methods: A single-center analysis of patients with chronic pancreatitis who underwent either a parenchymal-preserving surgery (PPS) or a total pancreatectomy (TP) with/without islet autotransplantation (IAT) between 2018 and 2024 was performed. Preoperative and postoperative changes in hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) and long-acting insulin dose were compared. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with 1-year insulin independence. Results: A total of 104 patients underwent surgery for chronic pancreatitis between 2018 and 2024. A total of 35 (33.7%) patients underwent TPIAT, 8 (7.7%) underwent TP, and 61 (58.7%) underwent PPS (n = 18 Whipple, n = 38 distal pancreatectomy, n = 5 drainage procedure). Median HbA1C increased after surgery (5.7% vs. 6.8%, p < 0.001). The majority of patients (n = 73, 70.2%) were discharged postoperatively without any basal insulin requirement. Of the 31 patients discharged on basal insulin, 18 patients (58.1%) were not on basal insulin preoperatively; the other 13 patients (41.9%) that were on basal insulin preoperatively had a median change in their postoperative basal insulin dose of −5 units [IQR: −12–−1]. A total of 46 patients (52.3%) were insulin independent at one year, with PPS more favorable than TPIAT (47.6% vs. 21.7%, p < 0.001) and less likely to have been on preoperative basal insulin. Conclusions: Surgery for chronic pancreatitis resulted in an increase in HbA1C postoperatively; however, diabetes remained well-controlled as the majority of patients remained off basal insulin at one year from surgery. PPS patients were more likely to be insulin-independent. Full article

Total pancreatectomy (TP) and islet cell autotransplantation (IAT) are complex operations that require intensive postoperative monitoring with standardized protocols. There are few studies detailing immediate perioperative management. The purpose of this study was to describe the perioperative management of post-pancreatectomy patients in the first week following surgery to guide clinicians in addressing salient points from different organ systems. This is a retrospective cohort review of prospectively collected data from September 2017 to September 2022 at a single institution, including patients 16 years and older who underwent TP or TPIAT for chronic pancreatitis. Patients were maintained on a heparin drip (TPIAT), insulin drip, and ketamine infusion. Primary outcomes were complications in the first 5 days following surgery and ICU length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included overall LOS and mortality. Of 31 patients, 26 underwent TPIAT, and 5 underwent TP. Median ICU LOS was five days (IQR 4–6). The most common immediate postoperative complications were reintubation [n = 5 (16%)] and bleeding [n = 2 (6%)]. Median insulin drip use was 70 h (IQR 20–124). There was no mortality. Patients were extubated quickly and progressed well on the protocol. Immediate postoperative complications were generally minor and without long-term effects. Full article

We previously published that insulin pump initiation immediately after IV insulin therapy was associated with improved post-surgical glycemic outcomes compared to multiple daily injections (MDI) in pediatric patients following a total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). We investigated metabolic outcomes of this population at one-year post-TPIAT to assess if the improved outcomes in the early pump group were sustained over time. We retrospectively reviewed 40 patients post-TPIAT previously studied at 10-days post-surgery (15 used MDI and 25 used pump therapy immediately post-ICU, and all were discharged on pump therapy). Data analyzed included: demographics, islet equivalents per kilogram (IEQ/kg) transplanted, exogenous insulin use, and baseline vs. one-year (via mixed meal testing) HbA1c, fasting glucose, insulinogenic index, and the area under the curve (AUC) for insulin and c-peptide. More patients were off insulin at one year in the early pump group compared to the MDI group (45% vs. 13%, p = 0.07). Of all patients off insulin, 100% of the early pump users weaned off by six months post-TPIAT compared to 30% of the MDI users. Two known variables associated with favorable insulin outcomes, lower age and higher IEQ/kg, were not significantly different between groups. Fasting glucose was lower in the early pump group compared to the MDI group (median 97 vs. 122 mg/dL, p = 0.003), while AUC c-peptide was greater in early pump users at one-year post-TPIAT but did not reach significance (median 57.0 vs. 50.3 ng/mL × minutes, p = 0.14). Other metabolic outcomes did not differ between groups. Despite lower median age and higher IEQ/kg in the MDI group, the early pump group had a lower fasting glucose. Younger TPIAT age (p = 0.02) and early pump users (p = 0.04) were significantly associated with insulin independence at one year. This study was limited by sample size. Early pump use may have long-term benefits in post-TPIAT endogenous insulin secretion. Full article

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is a surgical procedure for patients with chronic pancreatitis and poor quality of life. Euglycemia is critical for islet cell survival and engraftment. We reviewed clinical care practice and hypothesized that early in-hospital transition from intravenous insulin to insulin pump therapy, managed by an endocrine unit trained on post-surgical care, would improve glucose control and impact the length of hospital stay. We completed a retrospective analysis of 40 pediatric patients who underwent TPIAT. Comparative hospitalized postoperative groups included those who received insulin intravenously, followed by multiple daily injections, subsequently managed by pump therapy (n = 14), versus those who received insulin intravenously followed by early pump therapy provided on the endocrine unit trained to manage post-surgical patients (n = 26). The outcomes analyzed included percentage of blood glucoses in target (4.44–6.66 mmol/L (80–120 mg/dL)), hypoglycemia (<3.33 mmol/L (<60 mg/dL)) and hyperglycemia (>7.77 mmol/L (>140 mg/dL)), blood glucose variability, and length of hospital unit stay post-ICU. Hospitalized patients with early transition to pump therapy on a specialized endocrine unit had a higher proportion of glucose values in the target range (61% vs. 51%, p = 0.0003), a lower proportion of hyperglycemia (15% vs. 19%, p = 0.04), and a lower proportion of hypoglycemia, though not statistically significant (3.4% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.33). Early pump users also had lower variability in glucose values over 10 days post-intravenous insulin (p = 0.001), and the post-transition median length of stay was shorter by 5 days (median: 11.5 vs. 16.5 days, p = 0.005). Early in-hospital pump therapy managed by the specialized endocrine unit improved glucose outcomes and reduced the duration of in-unit stay. Full article

Hyperglycemia is detrimental to postoperative islet cell survival in patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). This makes continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) a useful management tool. We evaluated the accuracy of the Dexcom G6 CGM in pediatric intensive care unit patients following TPIAT. Twenty-five patients who underwent TPIAT had Dexcom G6 glucose values compared to paired serum glucose values. All paired glucose samples were obtained within 5 minutes of each other during the first seven days post TPIAT. Data were evaluated using mean absolute difference (MAD), mean absolute relative difference (MARD), %20/20, %15/15 accuracy, and Clarke Error Grid analysis. Exclusions included analysis during the CGM “warm-up” period and hydroxyurea administration (known drug interference). A total of 183 time-matched samples were reviewed during postoperative days 2–7. MAD was 14.7 mg/dL and MARD was 13.4%, with values of 15.2%, 14.0%, 12.1%, 11.4%, 13.2% and 14.1% at days 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively. Dexcom G6 had a %20/20 accuracy of 78%, and a %15/15 accuracy of 64%. Clarke Error Grid analysis showed that 77% of time-matched values were clinically accurate, and 100% were clinically acceptable. The Dexcom G6 CGM may be an accurate tool producing clinically acceptable values to make reliable clinical decisions in the immediate post-TPIAT period. Full article