About Pancreas Transplants

The first pancreas transplant at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center was performed on September 6th, 2002. Since that time, more than 30 pancreas transplants have been performed. Pancreatic transplantation is the only method available of completely normalizing blood sugars in patients with Type 1 diabetes. The improved blood sugar control has been shown to protect a newly transplanted kidney from recurrence of the diabetic renal failure. It also appears that the progression of diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy and vasculopathy is slowed and perhaps even arrested by the presence of a new, functioning pancreas.

What if I need a pancreas?
Not everyone with diabetes is a candidate to receive a pancreas transplant. A pancreas transplant will only help people who have insulin dependent (Type 1) diabetes. Those with non-insulin dependent (Type 2) diabetes continue to produce insulin but their body is resistant to it. Therefore, a new pancreas will not help. Most patients who receive a pancreas transplant also have kidney failure and are candidates to receive both a kidney and pancreas transplant. Most commonly, the transplants are done at the same time with organs from the same deceased donor. Alternatively, a living donor kidney transplant can be done and then followed by a deceased donor pancreas transplant later on. Pancreas transplants can only come from deceased donors. The national patient survival rate for simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation is more than 90 percent at one year; the pancreas graft survival is 89 percent and the kidney graft survival is 92 percent. Pancreas transplantation after kidney transplantation is somewhat less successful with a one year pancreas graft survival of about 80 percent.

Patients who are candidates for a pancreas transplant are placed on a national waiting list managed by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Waiting times for pancreas transplantation are variable but usually 2-3 years in Illinois.

About Pancreas Transplant Surgery

Pancreas Transplant: Patients are under general anesthesia during the surgery. The surgery lasts approximately 4 to 6 hours. The pancreas is usually placed in the right lower abdomen. The incision will be approximately 8 to 10 inches long in the lower abdomen. The patient’s own pancreas will not be removed. After surgery the patient will be taken to the recovery room until the anesthesia wears off and then will be transferred to the Transplant Unit or the Intensive Care Unit. You will have a central line (an IV tube) inserted near your collarbone or neck to provide you with fluids and medication after surgery. You will have a catheter in your bladder to help you pass urine, and you may be connected to a heart monitor. The hospital stay is usually 1 to 3 weeks, depending on your recovery process. It is possible that your pancreas may not function immediately after surgery. Occasionally it takes several days for your new pancreas to recover from the shock of surgery. You may need to be on some insulin for a few days. Please do not view this as a set back or complication.

Kidney and Pancreas Transplant: You will be under general anesthesia during the surgery. The surgery usually lasts about 6 hours. The pancreas is placed in the right lower abdomen and the kidney will be on the left side. The incision will be approximately 10 to 12 inches long in your lower abdomen. Your own pancreas and kidneys will not be removed. After surgery you will be taken to the recovery room until the anesthetic has worn off. You will then be transferred to the Transplant Unit or the Intensive Care Unit. You will have a central line (an IV tube) inserted near your collarbone or neck to provide you with fluids and medication after surgery. You will also have a catheter in your bladder to help you pass urine, and you may be connected to a heart monitor. The hospital stay is usually 1 to 3 weeks, depending on your recovery process.