Pancreas transplant

Pancreas transplant may be an option for patients who have diabetes and have not been able to properly manage it using other medical treatments. Through our transplant program, patients are evaluated and undergo testing to determine if they are viable candidates for surgery.

At Medical City Dallas and Medical City Fort Worth, patients have three pancreas transplant surgery options:

• Pancreas-only transplant
• Simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation
• Pancreas transplantation after kidney transplant

Having diabetes can be one of the primary reasons a patient may need a kidney transplant. However, a kidney transplant alone will not help your diabetes. If you are a Type I or Type II diabetic, a pancreas transplant might be an option for you.

A pancreas transplant will help protect your new kidney from the effects of diabetes and eliminate your need for insulin or oral medications. Pancreas transplant is most commonly done at the same time as your kidney transplant, or could also be done alone or after kidney transplantation.

Medical City Healthcare has a dedicated kidney and pancreas coordinator for efficient, personalized care who will expedite workup and listing for potential candidates.

• The need for insulin, dietary restrictions and routine blood sugar checks can be eliminated with pancreas transplantation.
• Recipients may no longer experience blood sugar highs and lows or other symptoms of diabetes, such as numbness and tingling in their finger tips and feet.
• A pancreas transplant can further reduce organ damage associated with uncontrolled blood sugars.

• Type I or Type II diabetes using insulin and/or oral medications
• BMI of 32 or less
• Compliant with treatments, medications and appointments
• Has social support system