Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplants

Patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and renal failure may be considered potential candidates for a combined pancreas-kidney transplant.

In the combined pancreas-kidney transplant, both organs are placed in the pelvis and connected to blood vessels traveling to the legs.  The patients’ own pancreas and kidneys are not removed.

The procedure has a high success rate; within a few hours of the surgery patients no longer need routine insulin and the kidney usually functions right away.  The diabetic patient will no longer require dialysis or insulin.  This leads to a markedly improved quality of life.  Moreover, it is thought that the new pancreas will protect the patient from further secondary complications of diabetes.