Function of the autotransplanted pancreatic segment in the dog

Area of Science:

• Surgical transplantation
• Gastroenterology
• Pancreatic physiology

Background:

• Autotransplantation of pancreatic tissue is a complex surgical procedure.
• Assessing immediate graft function post-transplantation is crucial for understanding viability.
• Limited data exists on the long-term viability and autolysis patterns of pancreatic grafts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the functional capacity of autotransplanted pancreatic grafts in dogs.
• To investigate the role of cellular damage and enzyme leakage in graft autolysis.
• To examine pancreatic secretion and enzyme levels immediately following transplantation.

Main Methods:

• Autotransplantation of the left pancreatic lobe into neck vessels in 13 dogs.
• Functional examination of pancreatic secretion and arteriovenous enzyme differences.
• Postoperative monitoring for graft integrity and signs of autolysis.
• Stimulation with secretin to assess exocrine function.

Main Results:

• Grafts were intact in only 3 of 13 dogs by postoperative day 20.
• Severe autolysis of the graft and surrounding tissues occurred in 10 dogs within 4-6 days.
• Secretin stimulation elicited immediate graft secretion with normal amylase output.
• Significant arteriovenous differences for amylase and LDH were observed.
• Enzyme levels in graft vasculature increased markedly after exocrine stimulation.

Conclusions:

• Pancreatic autotransplantation in dogs is prone to rapid autolysis.
• Cellular damage and subsequent enzyme leakage are significant contributors to graft failure.
• Despite autolysis, remaining functional pancreatic tissue can respond to secretin stimulation.