Cost of Pancreas Transplantation in India

1. The estimated cost of pancreas transplant in India starts from approximately USD 18,000, depending on various factors.
2. India is considered one of the leading countries for this procedure, with an 85% success rate in pancreas transplantation.
3. Top pancreas transplant centers in India, such as Fortis Bangalore Hospital, PGI Chandigarh, and Amrita Hospitals, have renowned doctors including Dr. Mahesh Gopasetty, Dr. Mukut Minz, and Dr. Sudheer O V.
4. The hospital procedure lasts for ten days, and patients need to stay in India for about a month.

Pancreas Transplantation: Overview

The pancreas is a vital component of the digestive system, located below the stomach in the abdominal cavity. Pancreas transplantation is the only viable option to restore its functionality if it stops functioning due to reasons such as cancer. The surgical procedure involves replacing the patient’s pancreas with a donor’s pancreas, primarily performed via an open surgical approach taking almost eight to ten hours. The donor’s pancreas produces several crucial hormones like insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide, which circulate in the blood and maintain the body’s equilibrium.

Symptoms

1. The patient may show symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, pain in the upper abdomen, mood swings, depression, and anxiety due to problems with the pancreas.

Causes

1. Causes of pancreatic problems can include excessive alcohol consumption, overproduction of insulin, or gallstones that get stuck in the pancreatic duct or bile.

Diagnosis

Before recommending pancreas transplantation, doctors perform multiple tests such as blood tests, x-ray scans, kidney function tests, neuropsychological exams, and other necessary tests to determine if the patient is fit for the procedure. All these tests take around two to three months and are crucial to avoid further complications.

The Procedure of Pancreas Transplantation

Pre-Transplant

1. The doctor will obtain complete details of medications, supplements, and any other medical conditions the patient may have.
2. The patient is not allowed to consume food or beverages eight to ten hours before the surgery.

During the Transplant

1. Under general anesthesia, surgery takes around eight to ten hours.
2. The surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen (just below the breastbone to the belly button) to access the pancreas.
3. The surgeon transplants the donor pancreas to the patient’s right abdomen and connects it to the blood vessels carrying blood to the patient’s leg.
4. The surgeon attaches a small portion of the donor pancreas to the patient’s small intestine or bladder, allowing digestive juices to drain from the donor pancreas into the patient’s blood.
5. The surgeon then closes the incision with internal and external sutures.

Post-Transplant

1. The recovery period can take several months, and the correct amount of time is required to resume normal activities and movement. Regular follow-ups with the doctors are essential to keep track of the recovery.
2. For the first six months, only simple activities are permitted.
3. Activities such as exercise, running, jumping, and playing sports are allowed almost a year after surgery.
4. Regular monitoring of the patient’s progress is essential for a successful recovery.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Pancreas Transplantation in India

1. The overall cost of pancreas transplant surgery in India is primarily influenced by the hospital and the state where the patient receives treatment. Hospitals may charge differently, considering the cost of setting up the hospital, medications, specialist fees, diagnostic procedures, the price of the donor pancreas, and the total hospital stay.