Simultaneous pancreatectomy and liver transplantation: a single-institution experience

There is wide debate among transplant centres regarding the indications for liver transplantation (LT) in malignancy. We report a single-centre experience with simultaneous LT and total pancreatectomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy.

We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively established database of patients who underwent simultaneous LT and total pancreatectomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy. We analysed demographics, indications, approach and outcomes.

Between 1991 and 2006, 11 patients (four male; median age 51 years) underwent simultaneous LT and total pancreatectomy (n = 4) or pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 7). Indications included metastatic neuroendocrine tumour (n = 5), hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 2), metastatic periampullary adenocarcinoma (n = 1), periampullary adenocarcinoma with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) (n = 2) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with ESLD (n = 1). The three patients with ESLD had non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis or cryptogenic cirrhosis. Median postoperative length of stay was 31 days (21-110 days). Overall median survival was 101 months (95% confidence interval 70.6-131.4). One-year survival was 91%, 2-year 90%, 5-year 67% and 10-year 33%. Postoperative complications included: re-operation (n = 4); anastamotic leak (n = 2); abdominal abscess (n = 3), and organ rejection (n = 1).

We report a series of pancreatectomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy and simultaneous LT in patients with extensive malignancy or impending liver failure that prevented pancreatectomy. This series provides evidence that combined pancreatic resection and LT can be a strategy in both radical resections and cases with ESLD that would otherwise preclude operative intervention.