Why Have a Pancreas Transplant? What to Expect and Risks
Medically reviewed by David Hampton, MDMedically reviewed by David Hampton, MD
A pancreas transplant is a surgical procedure that involves taking the healthy pancreas of a donor and implanting it into the body of a person with insulin-treated diabetes (usually type 1 diabetes).
People with type 1 diabetes who receive pancreas transplants can then produce their own insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels (also known as glucose levels). This may help to eliminate the need for insulin injections, prevent further diabetes complications, and improve overall quality of life and longevity.
This article will go over everything you need to know about pancreas transplants, including who may benefit from one, how to prepare for the procedure, and what to expect after the surgery.
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Who Is a Pancreas Transplant For?
People with type 1 diabetes are unable to produce enough (or any) insulin on their own. Some people with insulin-treated diabetes may benefit from a pancreas transplant if they have complications like kidney disease or severely low blood sugar levels.
You may be eligible for a pancreas transplant if you:
Are 18 years old or older
Have severe complications from insulin-treated diabetes
Are able to go through a serious surgical procedure and take the required medications afterward
Your healthcare provider might not recommend that you undergo a pancreas transplant if you have:
Cancer or a history of cancer
Lung, heart, or blood vessel disease
A substance abuse disorder
Who Needs a Pancreas Transplant?
Your healthcare provider may recommend that you have a pancreas transplant if you have insulin-treated diabetes and:
Have kidney failure
Have already had a kidney transplant
Have poorly controlled blood sugar levels (i.e., multiple dangerous episodes of severe hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar)
If successful, a pancreas transplant may significantly improve your quality of life. Potential benefits include:
No need for insulin injections
Controlled blood sugar levels
Fewer diabetes complications, such as nerve damage or vision loss
Increased fertility
Longer life expectancy
Increase energy and appetite
How to Prepare for a Pancreas Transplant
If you think a pancreas transplant may be right for you, your healthcare provider may refer you to a clinic that specializes in transplants.
Your healthcare team will ask you to undergo a thorough evaluation to assess your eligibility. This will include an assessment of your current health and symptoms, as well as your medical history and your family history. They’ll also discuss the potential risks, side effects, and benefits of a pancreas transplant and related aftercare (such as medications) with you.
Before you’re approved for a pancreas transplant, your healthcare provider will perform a variety of tests. These will provide valuable information about whether you could safely have a transplant and your chance of complications from the procedure. Your team may test you for:
HIV
Hepatitis
Antibody levels
Heart, lung, and blood vessel health
Psychological well-being
If you are eligible for a pancreas transplant, you will then be placed on a waiting list for a donor. Your wait time will depend on your own needs, as well as the availability of an appropriate donor. During your wait, it’s important to maintain your health as best as possible by avoiding alcohol, drugs, and smoking, as well as by maintaining your weight in the recommended range.
What to Expect During and After a Pancreas Transplant Procedure
A pancreas transplant typically takes about two to four hours, although it can take longer. During the procedure, you will be put under general anesthesia (in an unconscious state, similar to a deep sleep). While there are multiple methods of performing a pancreas transplant, it typically involves inserting the donor pancreas into your abdominal cavity and connecting it to your own blood vessels and intestines. Usually, your own pancreas will not need to be removed.
After a transplant, most people are hospitalized for approximately three to seven days. Your healthcare provider will watch for any initial warning signs of infection or other early complications.
When you return home, it’s crucial that you follow your healthcare team’s recommendations in order to recover fully and reduce the risk of complications. Typically, this involves taking prescribed medications (usually immunosuppressants) and following up regularly with your transplant team for a month or more. You may be asked not to travel for several months while you recover.
To increase your chance of a successful transplant, your healthcare provider may also recommend healthy lifestyle changes, such as avoiding smoking and alcohol, exercising regularly, and following a particular diet. To avoid complications from your transplant and improve your overall quality of life, it’s especially important that you follow their instructions.
Risks of Pancreas Surgery
Although a pancreas transplant has many potential benefits for people with type 1 diabetes, it also comes with significant risks. In the days and weeks after a pancreas transplant, some of the risks include:
Excessive bleeding
Infections
Damage to the surrounding organs
Intestinal blockage
Tissue buildup around the pancreas
Fluid leakage near the transplanted organ
Blood clots in the veins or arteries in the donated pancreas
Nerve damage
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (when a blood clot forms in one or more deep veins, usually in the legs)
Meanwhile, long-term risks of a pancreas transplant may include:
Hernias (organs push through a weak spot in the muscle or tissue)
Vascular stenosis, or narrowing of the arteries that bring blood to and from the pancreas
A higher risk of certain types of cancer, such as skin cancer
Side effects from related medications
Most of the above potential risks are treatable. Some, such as an intestinal blockage soon after the surgery, may require additional surgical procedures. Others may need to be treated with medication, such as antibiotics for an infection or immunosuppressants if your body shows signs of rejecting the transplanted organ.
There is also a small but significant risk of fatal complications from a pancreas transplant, such as:
Stroke
Severe infection
Heart attack
In particular, you are more likely to experience fatal complications from pancreas surgery if you are older or have comorbid conditions (co-occurring health conditions), such as heart or lung disease.
Talk to your healthcare provider before your surgery if you are concerned about your risk level. Following up with your healthcare team after surgery is crucial to check for any potential emerging conditions or symptoms.
Alternative Treatments for Insulin-Treated Diabetes
Instead of a pancreas transplant alone, many people with type 1 diabetes need to get a kidney-pancreas transplant, in which both organs are implanted within the same surgery. This procedure is necessary if you have both insulin-treated diabetes and kidney failure.
If you do not need or qualify for a pancreas or kidney-pancreas transplant, your healthcare provider will likely recommend that you manage your blood sugar levels with insulin injections. You should also meet with your healthcare team regularly to monitor your symptoms and prevent potential diabetes complications.
Summary
A pancreas transplant is a surgical procedure in which a healthy donor pancreas is implanted into the body of a person with type 1 diabetes. This can help people with insulin-treated diabetes enjoy a higher quality of life without the need for insulin injections, as well as a lower risk of long-term diabetes complications.
If you think you may be eligible for a pancreas transplant, talk to your healthcare provider. Based on your current symptoms, risks, and medical history, they can help you decide if it’s an option that could work for you.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
