BGS Global Hospitals Performs the 1st Successful Simultaneous PancreasKidney Transplant in Karnataka

BGS Global Hospitals - Super Specialty Quaternary Care, organised a press conference on
performing the 1st successful simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant in Karnataka on 29-yearold Shakeer D, from Bangalore. The patient was first treated by Dr Anil Kumar and the surgery
was performed by Dr Rajeev Lochan, Dr Mathew Jacob and Dr Sonal Asthana.
The 29-year-old underwent a deceased donor simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant at BGS
Global Hospital 5 weeks ago. He had been suffering from Type 1 Diabetes requiring insulin
since the age of 12 and had also developed diabetes-related complications - retinopathy, diabetic
nephropathy and end stage kidney failure over the past two years, which required dialysis.

His blood sugar control was very erratic, and frequent trips for dialysis and repeated admissions
meant that he was unable to work. His brother Basheer and his parents were constantly on the
edge, having to manage his sugar levels and be prepared for sudden admissions due to infections.
Post transplant, he is doing well and the whole family is overjoyed to see him lead a normal life.
Shakeer D, Pancreas and Kidney Transplant Survivor, said, "Firstly, I would like to thank the
organ donor's family and then the experts who have helped me outlive myself. This year, I will
be celebrating the festival with a renewed spirit."
Dr Anil Kumar, Consultant Nephrologist, BGS Global Hospitals, said, "Shakeer had initially
come to us for consideration of a kidney transplant. However, on assessment, it was very clear
that given his poor diabetic control, a combined pancreas and kidney transplant would offer him
the best chance of long term survival. We had extensive discussions with the family about his
condition and the surgical procedure. Pancreas transplant is a complex procedure and the surgical

risks are higher than a kidney transplant alone. The patient and his family considered the options
and decided to go ahead on the waitlist for a pancreas transplant."
Dr Rajiv Lochan, Consultant, Organ Transplant Surgeon, BGS Global Hospitals, said, "Shakeer
was placed on the waitlist for a combined pancreas and kidney transplant as per the norms of the
zonal co-ordination committee of Karnataka (ZCCK). Typically, the selection criteria for
pancreas are very stringent given the possibility of pancreatitis, so patients generally have to wait
longer for suitable organ matching as compared to those waiting for a kidney alone. Shakeer was
on the waiting list for 18 months. Last month, we received a call from the ZCCK saying that a
suitable donor had been identified. The family members of the brain dead person had agreed to
donate their loved one's organs. The pancreas and kidney were found to be a perfect match for
Shakeer."
Dr Sonal Asthana, Consultant, Organ Transplant Surgeon, said, "The operation took around 6-7
hours. We did not remove any diseased organs from the body. The new kidney was placed on the
lower left side of the abdomen and connected to the nearby blood vessels and the bladder. The
ureter was attached to the bladder. The pancreas was connected to blood vessels on the lower
right side of the abdomen. The pancreas and the kidney worked right away, and Shakeer did not
require any insulin soon after the surgery was completed. He was in the hospital for around 3
weeks and made an uneventful recovery. Shakeer was able to eat sweets for the first time in
almost 15 years, shortly afterwards."
He further adds, "India is the diabetes capital of the world. Almost 100,000 children develop
Type 1 diabetes every year. Although pancreas transplant was first described in 1966 and nearly
2,000 are done worldwide every year, less than 10 such transplants have been performed in
India. This highlights the need for increased awareness on organ donation which would pave the
way for many more such successful medical outcomes, helping patients with end stage organ
failure get a second chance at life."
Dr K Ravindranath, Chairman, Global Hospitals Group, said, "Global Hospitals Group has
redefined organ transplant programme in India by creating accessibility to expertise and
advanced infrastructure. Today, we are the leaders in organ transplants achieving several
milestones and delivering superior clinical outcomes, restoring hope of many patients with end
stage organ failure. Pancreas transplant is a very complex procedure and we have successfully
performed it, as we have sustained and established a comprehensive transplant programme with
world-class specialists."