TGH Performs Transplant with First-in-Human Pancreas Preservation Technology

TGH partners with organ transplant pioneer Paragonix to improve outcomes for pancreatic transplant patients.

TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 30, 2024) —  Tampa General Hospital (TGH), ranked the No. 4 transplant center in the nation by volume, announced that it has successfully completed the world’s first-in-human pancreas transplant case leveraging proprietary technology from Paragonix to provide next-generation preservation  for donor pancreases.

The groundbreaking case was led by Dr. Matthew Hunter Witt, Transplant Surgeon at the TGH Transplant Institute, using the Paragonix PancreasPak™ System to actively preserve and monitor the donor pancreas for almost 10 hours on its journey to provide a life-saving transplant.

“Our transplant team at Tampa General continues to achieve remarkable firsts like this one, which is another example of how we relentlessly innovate in order to provide patients with world-class healthcare,” said Dr. Witt.

“For our patients who need a pancreas transplant, this transformative technology is a milestone given the unique challenges associated with transporting this particular organ. It’s the latest in a long line of technical advancements adopted by our dedicated team, designed to enhance the lives of patients and their families in the Tampa Bay region, Florida and across the United States,” Witt added.

The pancreas is extremely delicate and vulnerable to damage during transport. Traditional methods involving plastic coolers and crushed ice tend to expose the organ to potentially harmful, freezing temperatures. Due to the limited number of pancreas transplants globally, until now the industry has not seen technical investments in this critical space.

Building on the established legacy of Paragonix’s previous cardiothoracic and abdominal preservation technologies, the PancreasPak™ System is the first commercially available hypothermic preservation system for donor pancreases during transportation. By consistently retaining an optimal temperature range for the organ’s survival, this new technology avoids the traditional risks that occur during transport. The real-time transmission of temperature and location data to transplant teams provides full visibility into the conditions of the pancreas during its transport to the destined recipient.

“At Paragonix, we believe that all donor organs should receive the best possible preservation regardless of transplant volumes,” said Lisa Anderson, Ph.D., President of Paragonix Technologies. “Being able to provide pancreatic transplant healthcare professionals with the latest in organ preservation technologies, and to provide their patients with the most advanced care, is another step in our journey to deliver all transplant patients every possible advantage.”

A national leader in advanced organ disease treatment and transplant surgery for 50 years, TGH is among a few dozen hospitals in the U.S. to have performed more than 14,000 transplant surgeries. TGH is the only hospital in west central Florida to offer all five organ transplants for adult patients. Surgeons perform adult heart, lung, liver (living and deceased donor), kidney (living and deceased donor) and pancreas transplants, as well as pediatric kidney transplants. As a high-volume, comprehensive transplant center, TGH is a premier destination for multi-organ transplant procedures. In 2023, TGH performed more than 750 transplants, setting records in both liver and kidney transplants.

“Providing advanced organ preservation to this often-overlooked group of transplant patients marks an exciting breakthrough in patient care,” said Dr. Kiran Dhanireddy, vice president and chief of the TGH Transplant Institute and surgical director of the Comprehensive Liver Disease and Transplant Center at the TGH Transplant Institute. “Given the complexities associated with pancreatic transplant surgery, our team is thrilled to add this tool to optimize patient outcomes at Tampa General.”