What Is the Success Rate of a Pancreas Transplant?

A pancreas transplant is a last resort treatment in patients with an established type 1 diabetes mellitus. It involves the replacement of an unhealthy pancreas with a healthy pancreas from a donor. A pancreas transplant helps in:

• Improving type 1 diabetes mellitus
• Reducing the dependency on insulin shots
• Treating pancreatic cancer

The pancreas is generally taken from a deceased donor; however, in selective cases, the pancreas will be taken from a living donor. There are four types of pancreas transplant:

• Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant: This type of transplant involves a simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant.
• Pancreas-after-kidney transplant: Pancreas transplantation takes place after successful kidney transplantation.
• Kidney after pancreas transplants: Kidney transplantation takes place after successful pancreas transplants.
• Pancreas transplant alone: It is performed in patients with serious and complicated diabetes.

A pancreas transplant should be avoided in people with:

• A history of cancer
• Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• Infections such as hepatitis
• Lung disease
• Obesity
• Severe heart disease
• Lifestyle habits such as smoking, alcohol or drug abuse
• Blood vessel disease of neck and leg

Before the procedure:

• The surgeon determines if a pancreas transplant is necessary for you.
• You need to undergo specific tests as a part of the evaluation, which includes:
  • Blood tests or skin tests to check for infection
  • Heart tests such as electrocardiography, echocardiography, or cardiac catheterization
  • Tissue and blood typing to make sure that the body doesn’t reject the donated organs
  • Test to diagnose early cancer
• You will be placed on a waiting list to receive a deceased donor pancreas.
• Your name and blood test results will be placed on the United Network for Organ Sharing’s national list.
• During the wait, follow these steps:
  • Follow a diet recommended by the doctor.
  • Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
  • Keep a check on your weight in a range recommended by the physician.
  • Take prescribed medicines.

During the procedure:

• A pancreas transplant is generally performed under general anesthesia.
• The surgeon makes an incision down the center of the abdomen.
• Next, the surgeon places the donor pancreas on the lower right side of the abdomen attached to the nearby blood vessels. If the pancreas is taken from a deceased donor, then the surgeon removes the pancreas along with a small section of the small intestine. Whereas, if the pancreas is taken from a living donor, the surgeon takes a portion of the body and the tail of the pancreas.
• The recipient’s existing pancreas usually remains in their body.

After the procedure:

• You have to stay in the hospital for three to seven days.
• You will need regular blood tests for one to two months.
• You may need to take several medications post-transplant.