Total Pancreatectomy and Islet Autotransplantation Following Treated Hepatitis C Infection

Hepatic parenchymal disease, including chronic viral hepatitis, has traditionally been considered a relative contraindication to islet transplantation as the islets are infused into the recipient’s liver. We present a case study of a patient with treated chronic hepatitis C infection (HCV) who safely received an autologous islet transplant following total pancreatectomy with excellent clinical outcomes. The patient was a 60-year-old woman diagnosed with debilitating abdominal pain secondary to chronic pancreatitis and with preserved islet function. She had previously been treated >10 years prior to surgical evaluation with interferon monotherapy for 1 year that led to sustained virologic response, including at the time of surgical evaluation for total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). She underwent comprehensive preoperative evaluation of the liver, including liver biopsy, which showed no significant portal inflammation or fibrosis. Following a multidisciplinary meeting and discussion of the potential risks for the patient, the decision was made to proceed with TPIAT. The patient underwent a standard total pancreatectomy, and an autologous islet dose of 6638 islet equivalents/kg body weight was infused into the liver via the portal vein. Portal vein pressure was monitored throughout the infusion with a transient peak pressure of 27 cm H₂O (basal pressure of 14 cm H₂O) and final pressure of 23 cm H₂0 at 10 min post-infusion. Aside from a transient transaminitis, liver enzymes were normal at the time of hospital discharge. At greater than 1 year of follow-up, the patient has improved quality of life, with reduction in narcotic analgesia, remains insulin independent (with normal islet function), and has normal liver function. This case illustrates that islet autotransplant into the liver can be safely performed and suggests that carefully selected patients with liver disease may be eligible for TPIAT.