Pancreas Transplant

Department of Pancreas Transplant

Pancreas transplants are one of the newest and most exciting transplant procedures available today. A pancreas transplant can provide many benefits for patients with diabetes, including improved blood sugar control, reduced dependence on insulin, and improved quality of life. Pancreas transplants are also a very safe procedure, with a low risk of complications.

Diagnosis

A pancreas transplant is a surgical procedure to place a healthy pancreas from a deceased donor into a person whose pancreas no longer functions properly. Most pancreas transplants are done to treat type 1 diabetes. About 15% of all pancreas transplants are performed in people with type 2 diabetes. Rarely, pancreas transplants may be used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, bile duct cancer or other cancers. A pancreas transplant offers a potential cure for this condition. But it’s typically reserved for those with serious complications of diabetes. A pancreas transplant is often done in conjunction with a kidney transplant in people whose kidneys have been damaged by diabetes.

Functions

Two of the main pancreatic hormones are insulin, which acts to lower blood sugar, and glucagon, which acts to raise blood sugar. Maintaining proper blood sugar levels is crucial to the functioning of key organs including the brain, liver, and kidneys. The pancreas contains exocrine glands that produce enzymes important to digestion. These enzymes include trypsin and chymotrypsin to digest proteins; amylase for the digestion of carbohydrates; and lipase to break down fats. Even though traditionally it helps in digestion the reason for transplant is for sugar control. The well controlled sugar levels help in the control of diabetes. This helps in halting progression as well as reversal of organ damage that usually occurs in diabetes.

Conditions

• Type 1 diabetes with end stage renal failuire
• Type 1 DM that cannot be controlled with standard treatment
• Frequent insulin reactions
• Consistently poor blood sugar control
• Severe kidney damage
• Type 2 diabetes associated with both low insulin resistance and low insulin production ( in selected patients only)

Treatment

• Pancreas transplant alone – People with diabetes and early or no kidney disease may be candidates for a pancreas transplant alone. A pancreas transplant surgery involves the placement of a healthy pancreas into a recipient whose pancreas is no longer functioning properly.
• Combined kidney pancreas transplant – Combined (simultaneous) kidney-pancreas transplants for people with diabetes who have or are at risk of kidney failure. Most pancreas transplants are done at the same time as a kidney transplant.
• Pancreas after kidney transplant – For those facing a long wait for both a donor kidney and a donor pancreas to become available, a kidney transplant may be recommended first if a living- or deceased-donor kidney becomes available.

Pre- transplant Work up:

Patient needs to undergo various tests such as Blood tests, CT Abdomen / Ultrasound abdomen, 2DEcho as a part of the evaluation process. Once they are found to be fit for a transplant, they are registered on the waiting list.

Post Transplant Check up:

The recipients are required to undergo periodic checkups with the transplant unit to adjust the immunosuppression. With passage of time, the requirement for immunosuppression comes down and the frequency of follow up reduces. The recovery period following a transplant is usually 7-10 days. The recipients are put on immunosuppression and are followed up on a regular basis to monitor the pancreas function. They are expected to resume their normal routine in a month’s time. There is no restriction on their physical activity or the diet. The physical and mental development is the same as their peers.

Pancreas surgeons in Mumbai

Dr Gaurav Chaubal

MBBS, MS(General Surgery), MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology) AIIMS- Delhi, Fellowship in Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Duke University Medical Hospital, USA

Director – Liver, Pancreas, Intestine Transplant Program & HPB Surgery

Know More Book an appointment

Dr Aditya J. Nanavati

MBBS, MS, Fellowship in Abdominal Transplant Surgery (Duke University, USA)

Senior Consultant - Liver, Pancreas and Intestine Transplant & HPB Surgery

Know More Book an appointment

Dr Rajeev Sinha

MS, FACS, Fellowship (Abdominal Organ Transplant Surgery), Fellowship ASTS (American Society of Transplant Surgeons)

Sr Consultant - Liver, Pancreas and Intestine Transplant & HPB Surgery

Know More Book an appointment

Dr Hunaid Hatimi

MBBS, MS, DNB, MCh (GI Surgery), Fellowship in HPB Surgery & Liver Transplant

Senior Consultant - Liver, Pancreas and Intestine Transplant & HPB Surgery

Know More Book an appointment