Risk of Recurrent Hypoglycemia and Long-term Survival after total Pancreatectomy: A Prospective Observational Study

To evaluate risk of severe hypoglycemia after total pancreatectomy (TP).

Historically, TP was feared due to loss of insulin and counter-regulatory hormones, as well as the risk of severe hypoglycemic events (SHE). While TP with islet auto-transplant (TPIAT) can preserve endocrine function, past studies reported 41% SHE incidence post-operatively. Advancements in insulin therapies and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have likely improved outcomes but are understudied in this population.

This single center study analyzed TP patients from 2009-2024. CGMs (Dexcom G7) were provided for the study if patients did not have one. Demographics, survival, emergency department visits, and glycemic control were assessed.

Among 147 TP cases, 76 underwent TP alone and 71 TPIAT. In the TP-alone patients, two deaths (2/76; 2.63%) occurred due to hypoglycemia. Pre-operatively, TP-alone patients had higher HbA1c (7.1±2.2%) than TPIAT patients (5.9±1.3%; P<0.001). In the first month post-operatively, TP-alone patients had higher HbA1c than TPIAT-insulin dependent patients, but no difference over 10 years. Hypo/hyperglycemia-related hospital visits, median time in target range (TP: 53.5%, IQR: 36.5-68.5 vs. TPIAT insulin-dependent: 59.0%, IQR: 43.3-67.5), and glycemic variability (coefficient of variation; 31.3%, IQR 28.3-35.0 vs 32.3%, IQR 28.7-35.5) were similar between TP-alone and TPIAT-insulin dependent groups. In 14 days of CGM capture, no severe hypoglycemia was observed in TP-alone patients (<3.0 mmol/L).

Advancements in insulins and CGMs provide acceptable outcomes after TP without supplemental islet transplantation, and lower risk of SHE than previously reported. This encouraging data may aid surgical decision-making and patient selection for surgery.