Islet autotransplantation in a cirrhotic liver

Chronic pancreatitis resulting from alcohol abuse might in some rare cases require a total surgical resection of the pancreas to treat severe local complications. We have learned from the new techniques developed for islet isolation that it is now possible to obtain a sufficient number of good quality islets from one single pancreas to be transplanted into one recipient. We present a case of total surgical pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis in a previously non-diabetic patient with immediate islet isolation and autotransplantation. At operation, a cirrhotic liver was found, but no portal hypertension. We still decided to embolize a non purified preparation of endocrine tissue into the liver without alteration of liver function or durable modification of the portal pressure. One year after this procedure, the patient remains insulin-independent with a close to normal glycemic regulation as demonstrated by stimulation tests. Islet autotransplantation does not appear to be generally contra-indicated in the presence of a cirrhotic liver; provided the portal pressure is within normal limits. Under these circumstances, satisfactory glycemic control is achieved.