Pancreas Transplant

A pancreas transplant can help restore insulin production and improve blood sugar control in people with severe diabetes. Our team performs all three types of pancreas transplants, and are with you every step of the way in your journey to good health.

Am I a Candidate for a Pancreas Transplant?

The pancreas is an organ that lies behind the lower part of the stomach. The pancreas has two main jobs. It makes enzymes that help the body break down food, and insulin that regulates the absorption of sugar into cells. The cells use the sugar as a source of energy.

If you have diabetes, your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or your body is unable to effectively use it, leading to high blood sugar levels.

The first step in determining if you are a candidate for a pancreas transplant is an evaluation by our team. At Virtua Advanced Transplant & Organ Health, you may be evaluated for a pancreas transplant if you:

• Are in general good health with no preexisting conditions that may affect a successful outcome
• Have stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) or are on dialysis to remove waste products and excess fluid from your body
• Have diabetes and are on insulin therapy
• Are age 60 or younger
• Have pancreatic insufficiency
• No longer have a pancreas
• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or less (with a goal of having a BMI of less than 32)
• Have adequate support essential to post-transplant care
• Have insurance that will pay for immunosuppressant medications

Types of Pancreas Transplants at Virtua

Virtua surgeons are skilled at performing all three types of pancreas transplants:

• Simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant: The most common type of pancreas transplant, you receive both organs at the same time from the same deceased donor. You benefit from a functioning kidney and a pancreas producing normal levels of insulin.
• Pancreas after kidney transplant: You have a kidney transplant from a living donor first, and then in a later surgery receive a pancreas from a deceased donor as soon as one becomes available.
• Pancreas transplant alone: People with diabetes and early or no kidney disease may benefit from this type of transplant. The new pancreas comes from a deceased donor.

Advanced Surgical Capabilities

Virtua Advanced Transplant & Organ Health surgeons also specialize in advanced surgical procedures that increase the availability of organs and the ability of people to receive them. This includes addressing complex vascular issues of the donor organ and patient, correcting abdominal abnormalities, and managing scarring from previous abdominal surgeries.

Your Pancreas Transplant at Virtua

Our transplant team will help you decide if a pancreas transplant is right for you, and if so, which type of transplant is best.

Throughout your transplant journey, you'll be in close contact with your Virtua nurse coordinator and other members of your team.

During your time on the transplant list, you'll undergo regular checkups, including blood tests. Discuss with your coordinator any major health changes, including hospitalizations and medication adjustments, and changes in insurance coverage.

If you are having a pancreas after kidney transplant, our team will work with you and your living donor to schedule the kidney portion of the surgery.

If you're on the wait list, your nurse coordinator will call you when a donor organ becomes available.

What to Expect With Pancreas Transplant Surgery

During your surgery, the new pancreas and a small portion of the donor’s intestine are implanted through an incision in the center of your abdomen. The donor intestine and pancreas are attached to your small intestine or bladder and your blood vessels. The surgery takes several hours to complete.

Your old pancreas is typically left in place. If you are receiving a new kidney as well (through a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant or a pancreas after kidney transplant), it will be attached to your bladder and blood vessels.

You'll remain in the hospital for an average of four to five days as you recover from surgery and as your new pancreas reaches full function and produces the insulin your body needs.

You will begin receiving medication to help your body accept your new organ. You will need to take this medication for life.

What to Expect After Your Pancreas Transplant Surgery

Your care at Virtua doesn’t end once you’ve received your transplant. You are a member of the Virtua family for life.

Following your surgery, your personal care team will include post-transplant nurse coordinators. The post-transplant team will meet with you in the hospital to talk about:

• Taking your daily organ anti-rejection medication, as well as any other prescribed medicines.
• Managing pain and fatigue during your recovery.
• The importance of staying hydrated.
• Following activity restrictions. Generally, you can resume most activities within six to 12 weeks after surgery, but may need six months before returning to work and other normal activities.
• Continuing care with your primary care physician and other specialists.

After leaving the hospital, you will meet with the Virtua transplant team:

• Twice weekly in the first month
• Weekly in the second month
• Every other week in the third month

For the rest of the first year, monthly visits will alternate between your organ specialist and the transplant team, although you may need more frequent checkups, depending on your health. You will undergo blood tests at each visit and review your medications as we assess your progress and determine your care needs.

Your nurse coordinator will outline your treatment plan after the first year.