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After 18 Years, AIIMS Delhi Restores Hope with SPK Surgery
14 May
Summary
- AIIMS Delhi performed its first pancreas-kidney transplant in 18 years.
- The surgery offers a dual benefit, restoring kidney function and achieving insulin independence.
- Low organ donation rates in North India contributed to the 18-year gap.
AIIMS Delhi has successfully revived a life-saving simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplant procedure, marking the first such surgery at the institute in 18 years. This complex operation provided a new lease on life for a 30-year-old man suffering from end-stage renal disease due to long-standing Type 1 diabetes.
The SPK transplant offers a dual advantage: it restores kidney function, eliminating the need for dialysis, and also achieves insulin independence by transplanting a healthy pancreas. This significantly enhances the patient's quality of life, as they now require minimal insulin, primarily due to immunosuppressive steroid medications.
According to Dr. Asuri Krishna, the procedure is considered the 'gold standard' for patients with both Type 1 diabetes and kidney failure, offering superior long-term survival and metabolic control. The 18-year hiatus at AIIMS was attributed to the low rate of organ donation in North India and a shortage of trained transplant surgeons.
This successful surgery underscores the critical role of organ donation in saving lives. As more Type 1 diabetes patients survive longer, the need for combined pancreas and kidney transplants is increasing, highlighting the importance of such advanced surgical interventions.
