Pancreatic Transplantation

Abstract

Pancreas transplantation is the only treatment of Type I diabetes that consistently establishes an insulin-independent, normoglycemic state. Currently long-term insulin-independence is achieved in > 80% of recipients of pancreas grafts placed simultaneous with the kidney and in > 70% of recipients of a pancreas after a kidney and non-uremic recipients of a pancreas alone. The penalty is immunosuppression, already obligatory for a kidney recipient, but the benefits are improved quality of life and the effect that perfect control of glycemia can have on secondary complications of diabetes.

Key Words:

• Pancreas transplantation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J. Pirenne

J. Pirenne Md, PhD Abdominal Transplant Surgery Department U.Z. Leuven Herestraat 49 B-3000 Leuven Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]