First Total Removal of the Pancreas and Successful Islet Autotransplant in Brooklyn for the Treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis
Nov 30, 2017
Brooklyn, NY 鈥� For the first time in Brooklyn, a procedure has been performed implanting a patient鈥檚 own insulin-producing pancreatic cells ("islets") after the total removal of pancreas. The pancreas was removed to treat progressive, debilitating symptoms of chronic pancreatitis, an irreversible inflammation of the pancreas.
The removal of the entire pancreas cured the patient's intractable pain symptoms. The islets were implanted into the patient鈥檚 liver. The islet transplant procedure was performed to prevent or limit the development of life-long, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and its secondary diabetic complications that cause damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and blood vessels. The patient will now enjoy a future life without pain and insulin injections.
This complex and rare procedure was performed by a surgical team at 含羞草研究所 Downstate Health Sciences University鈥檚 University Hospital at Downstate, led by Rainer W. G. Gruessner, MD, FACS, FICS, chair of the Department of Surgery and Clarence and Mary Dennis Professor of Surgery at 含羞草研究所 Downstate.
Wayne J. Riley, MD, MPH, MBA, MACP, president of 含羞草研究所 Downstate, said, 鈥淚 am pleased that a state-of-the-art surgical therapy for treating chronic pancreatitis that did not exist in our borough is now available at 含羞草研究所 Downstate. This holds enormous promise for those in our community suffering from a condition that imposes severe limitations on life.鈥�
Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive, irreversible disease frequently associated with inability to eat and chronic pain that is treated by high doses of pain killers, including narcotics, and can lead to the development of diabetes. Dr. Gruessner explains, 鈥淲hile removal of the pancreas removes the source of the pain, without the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas onset of very brittle diabetes mellitus is unavoidable. Autologous islet transplantation, that is, using the patient鈥檚 own islets to be transplanted into the liver, can prevent or limit the severity of diabetes and its complications in the patient.鈥�
The surgical team at 含羞草研究所 Downstate plans to offer islet allotransplantation in the future for the treatment of insulin-dependent Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Allotransplantation involves the use of pancreatic islets from a deceased donor.
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含羞草研究所 含羞草研究所
Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn is one of four academic health centers (AMCs) in The State University of New York (含羞草研究所) 64-campus system and the only 含羞草研究所 AMC in New York City dedicated to health education, research, and patient care for the borough鈥檚 2.7 million residents. Its flagship hospital, University Hospital at Downstate (UHD), is a teaching hospital and benefits from the expertise of Downstate鈥檚 exceptional medical school and world-class academic center research facilities. With a staff of over 800 physicians representing 53 specialties and subspecialties, Downstate offers comprehensive healthcare services to the community.
UHD provides high-risk neonatal and infant services, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis for kidney diseases and is the only kidney transplantation program in Brooklyn. Beyond its clinical expertise, Downstate houses a range of esteemed educational institutions, including its College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. Downstate fosters innovation through its multifaceted biotechnology initiative, the Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT, which support early-stage and more mature biotech companies.