[Pancreas transplantation--a review]

Abstract

According to the International Pancreas Transplant Registry, more than 1,000 pancreas transplantations are now performed annually. When performed simultaneously with a kidney transplant, pancreas transplantation is a generally accepted treatment for type 1 diabetic patients with end stage renal disease, and the pancreas graft survival in this setting is equivalent to that of the kidney graft. The reported results of solitary pancreatic transplantation in non-uraemic diabetic patients have been less favourable due to a high rejection rate in combination with difficulties in rejection diagnosis and treatment. However, the introduction of new immunosuppressive drugs over the last few years has drastically improved the survival of solitary pancreatic grafts and allows for a rising enthusiasm. The majority of the 122 transplantations performed in Oslo so far were simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantations. Duct occluded segmental grafts were used until 1988 when the pancreatico-duodenal technique with bladder drainage was introduced. In March 1998 we changed to enteric drainage of the exocrine pancreas due to a high percentage of lower urinary tract problems and bicarbonate loss associated with the bladder drainage technique. The positive impact of a functioning pancreas transplant on the recipient's quality of life is well recognised, whereas long-term beneficial effects on the secondary complications of diabetes are not well documented. A short overview of various aspects of pancreas transplantation is given, including experience with the 122 transplantations performed at the National Hospital, Oslo, Norway.