Variables associated with islet yield in autologous islet cell transplantation for chronic pancreatitis

The goal of total pancreatectomy followed by autologous islet cell transplantation is to manage pain and prevent surgical diabetes for patients with severe chronic pancreatitis. We performed this procedure in 17 patients from November 2006 to October 2009 at Baylor University Medical Center. All patients were included in this retrospective study and were divided into two groups based on islet yield in the final product based on patient body weight: a low-yield group (<5000 IE/kg) and a high-yield group (>/=5000 IE/kg). There were significant differences between the two groups in the rate of pancreatic findings on computed tomography (low vs high group, 88% vs 22%: P = 0.02), Cambridge classification score for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (3.8 +/- 0.2 vs 2.1 +/- 0.6: P = 0.03), number of positive endoscopic ultrasonography criteria (6.0 +/- 0.8 vs 3.5 +/- 0.4: P = 0.04), and distension score (1.9 +/- 0.4 vs 3.7 +/- 0.2: P = 0.006). A significant reduction in narcotics use after the operation was observed in both groups (P = 0.03 and P = 0.009 in the low and high groups, respectively, using a paired t test). Excellent graft function and glycemic control after the transplantation were also demonstrated in both groups. Patients in the high-yield group were in the early stage of chronic pancreatitis, which led to excellent pancreatic distention for islet isolation; however, the excellent clinical outcomes were observed in both low- and high-yield groups.