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We recently reported that 11C-methionine positron-emission tomography (PET) is clinically useful for the evaluation of the pancreatic function of the living donor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the postoperative insulin independence in 10 living donor (LD) and 10 brain-dead donor (BD) pancreas transplantations for 20 patients with type I diabetes mellitus by using 11C-methionine PET. After 6 months, PET/computed tomography was performed 30 minutes after 11C-methionine (370-740 MBq) injection. The uptake in the pancreas was expressed as the standardized uptake value (SUV). Patient survival rates were 100% at 5 years for LD transplantations and at 2 years for BD transplantations. Insulin independence was 60% for LD transplantations at 5 years and 75% for BD transplantations at 2 years. There were no major surgical complications such as vascular thrombosis, intra-abdominal abscess, and graft pancreatitis. The SUVs for LD and BD pancreas transplantations with insulin independence were 7.2 ± 1.8 and 10.4 ± 2.3, respectively. The SUVs for LD pancreas transplantations with insulin dependence and BD pancreas transplantations with graft failure were 3.6 ± 1.1 and 2.9 ± 1.0, respectively. At 5 years after transplantation, for the LD transplants, the insulin-independent rate was 100% for the graft recipients with an SUV higher than 5, and the median insulin independence duration of the graft recipients with an SUV less than 5 was 7 months (P < .01). The 11C-methionine PET may be a potent modality to predict long-term insulin independence and the avoidance of pancreas graft failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present study, we aimed to compare the pancreas volumetric changes before and after living donor surgery for pancreas transplantation, using three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) and glucose metabolism. Pancreatic volume (PV) measurement using 3D CT was performed in 13 consecutive donors who underwent distal pancreatectomy for simultaneous living donor pancreas and kidney transplantation. PV was measured using a workstation before and 3 months after living donor operation. As the parameters of glucose metabolism, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level, body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and insulinogenic index (IGI) were examined simultaneously with the PV measurement. The preoperative and postoperative PVs of pancreas was 30 ± 5 mL and 42 ± 9 mL, respectively. The postoperative PV was significantly higher than the preoperative PV (P < .01) and increased by approximately 40% at 3 months after surgery. The postoperative FPG and HbA1c levels were significantly higher than the preoperative values (P < .01). BMI decreased significantly after surgery (P < .01). No differences in HOMA-IR and IGI were noted between before and after surgery. Diabetes mellitus was not observed any of the 13 living donors during this period. Distal pancreatectomy for living donors caused an increase in the PV and maintained insulin resistance, but it was not sufficient to maintain glucose metabolism at the preoperative state. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: For a safe living pancreas donoration for transplantation, we evaluated the function of the residual pancreas head using 11C-methionine positron emission tomography (PET) in 13 cases before and after distal pancreatectomy. After 6 hours of fasting, we intravenously administered 11C-methionine (370 to 740 MBq), performing PET at 30 minutes thereafter. 11C-methionine PET uptake in the pancreas head was expressed as a standardized uptake value (SUV) for comparison before versus after surgery: 17.3 ± 2.5 versus 17.4 ± 4.9, respectively, demonstrating no significant difference. However, the changes in SUVs of the residual pancreas head showed three patterns after surgery. The SUVs were elevated in three donors after surgery, hypermetabolite type; maintained in five donors, normometabolite type; and decreased in five donors hypometabolite type. The percentages of subjects with a postoperative HbA1c value more than 5.8%, the upper normal limit, were 33% in hypermetabolite type; 40% in the normometabolite type; and 60% in the hypometabolite type. Although diabetes mellitus has not developed in any of the 13 donors, the pancreatic head function after distal pancreatectomy was slightly decreased, especially among the hypometabolite type. To avoid postoperative diabetes mellitus for a prolonged period, donors who show decreased SUVs after surgery should be strictly followed. In conclusion, 11C-methionine PET may be a potent modality to evaluate segmental pancreatic function for a safe living donor pancreatectomy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Under a revision to the law in 2010, the number of pancreas transplantations from brain-dead donors has been increasing in Japan. We started a new Pancreatic Transplant Program at Fujita Health University Hospital in September 2012. Methods: A total of 11 cases of pancreas transplantation from brain-dead donors performed at Fujita Health University Hospital were analyzed in terms of the background characteristics of the donors and recipients and the outcomes. Results: The mean age of the recipients was 45.2 years, and all recipients had a long-term history of diabetes (mean: 32.5 years). In the simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK) cases, the patients also had a long history of hemodialysis (mean: 8.0 years). Although the average donor age was 42.5 years, 90% of the donors were marginal donors, defined according to the following factors: (1) >45 years old, (2) death from cardiovascular disease, (3) episodes of cardiac arrest, (4) use of high doses of catecholamines. The pancreatic graft survival rate was 100%, although 1 patient required a small amount of insulin to maintain euglycemia. In addition, the kidney graft survival rate was also 100% in the SPK cases. Conclusions: The new Pancreatic Transplant Program at Fujita Health University has provided excellent outcomes for type 1 diabetic patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: In Japan, >80% of kidney transplantations (KTs) are performed from living donors because of a severe shortage of deceased donors. Moreover, >90% of deceased donors are non–heart-beating donors. In this study, we compared the quality of life (QOL) of the recipients between living- and deceased-donor KT performed in our hospital. Methods: QOLs of 91 recipients (11 deceased donors and 80 living donors) were analyzed using the Short Form 36 before and 1, 2, and 3 years after KT. Changes in QOLs were compared between deceased-donor KT (group DD) and living-donor KT (group LD). Results: In group DD, physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores before transplantation were 43.7 and 48.7, respectively. PCS decreased to 35.3 at 1 year and 34.2 at 2 years, but increased to 52.6 at 3 years. MCS as 43.2 at 1 year, 52.2 at 2 years, and 44.5 at 3 years. In group LD, PCS and MCS before transplantation were 36.9 and 42.6, respectively. PCS increased to 43.3 at 1 year, 47.6 at 2 years, and 51.0 at 3 years, and MCS increased to 47.8 at 1 year, 50.1 at 2 years, and 49.6 at 3 years. Conclusions: The recipients of living-donor KT showed an improvement of QOL immediately after transplantation. However, in the recipients of deceased-donor KT, physical QOL (PCS) decreased for 2 years after transplantation. The reasons seem to be long waiting period and the use of non–heart-beating donors in deceased-donor KT in Japan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have performed retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy for living kidney donor surgery since 2000. Recently, we introduced single–site retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy (RDN) as a less invasive donor surgery. The procedure was performed in 7 donors (5 women and 2 men) by a single surgeon. The mean age and body mass index of the donors were 62.6 years (range, 53–74 years) and 24.3 kg/m2 (range, 22.3–29.0 kg/m2), respectively. Left-sided nephrectomy was performed in all the donors. The donors were positioned in the right lateral position, and a 7-cm-long incision was made in the left flank. The incision was extended to the retroperitoneal space using the muscle-splitting technique. The retroperitoneal space was then expanded using an inflation balloon. A GelPOINT Advanced Access Platform (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif, United States) was placed in the incision. The subsequent technique and equipment were the same as those used in conventional 3-port RDN. The renal artery and vein were dissected using a vascular stapler, and the kidney graft was directly extracted through the incision. The mean operative time was 197 ± 28 minutes, warm ischemic time was 4.1 ± 1.2 minutes, and blood loss was 75 ± 113 mL. No statistical differences were found between the present method and conventional 3-port RDN. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were not observed in any of the donors. Graft function after transplantation was good, and delayed graft function was not observed in any of the recipients. This technique can be easily introduced in the clinical setting by surgeons experienced in RDN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A 36-year-old woman underwent ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplantation. Immunosuppression was achieved by quadruple therapy with tacrolimus, basiliximab, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and prednisone. Desensitization and removal of anti-ABO antibody was achieved by administration of MMF for 4 weeks before transplantation followed by intravenous administration of rituximab, double-filtered plasmapheresis, and plasma exchange. At 1 month after transplantation, she complained of left ear pain without vesicle rash, tinnitus, and vertigo. Physical examination revealed left facial paralysis and nystagmus. T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visualized swelling of the left facial nerve. Real-time polymerase chain reaction showed the existence of varicella zoster virus DNA in the patient''s tears and saliva. The final diagnosis was Ramsay Hunt syndrome without vesicle rash, which is called zoster sine herpete. The patient was treated by intravenous administration of acyclovir (3 mg/kg, 3 times per day) in addition to the reduction of the MMF dose. For facial nerve palsy, prednisolone was prescribed for 3 days and then gradually tapered. These treatments improved the symptoms of tinnitus and vertigo after a month; the facial nerve palsy completely disappeared after 10 months. This case demonstrated MRI to be a useful modality for the early diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome without vesicle eruption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]