Chronic pancreatitis is a painful and progressive inflammatory disease that affects the pancreas’ ability to regulate blood sugar and aid in digestion. Symptoms include upper abdominal pain, especially after eating, and weight loss, which worsen over time. Elizabeth Garniss, a high school English teacher, was bedridden due to the excruciating pain caused by chronic pancreatitis until she underwent a rare and complicated surgery called total pancreatectomy with islet cell autotransplantation (TP-IAT) at VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center.
This surgery, which removes the entire pancreas and relocates insulin-producing islet cells to the liver, has been successful in reducing pain and reliance on pain medication for many patients. Garniss, who underwent the surgery nearly two years ago, now enjoys a dramatically improved quality of life. The center recently celebrated its 100th TP-IAT surgery, making it one of the few places in the nation to offer this procedure.
Patients from across the country come to Hume-Lee Transplant Center for TP-IAT, often referred through social media by people who have undergone the surgery and experienced life-changing results. Dr. Aamir Khan, the medical director of the Islet Cell Transplant Program, emphasizes the importance of listening to patients who are still searching for relief from chronic pancreatitis.
Dr. David Bruno, interim chair of Hume-Lee, highlights the debilitating nature of chronic pancreatitis and the significant impact that TP-IAT can have on patients’ lives. The center’s collaboration between the operating room and lab science, including a specialized islet cell team led by Dr. Mazhar Kanak, ensures successful outcomes for patients undergoing TP-IAT. The lab has also been recognized for its research efforts and recently began serving as an Islet Isolation Center for the Integrated Islet Distribution Program.
Overall, VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive care and innovative treatments for patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis, offering hope and relief to those who have exhausted all other options.
Read More Health News
