INTRODUCTION:Our pancreas is an organ that lies behind the lower part of

our stomach. It’s main function is to make insulin, a hormone that regulates the absorption

of the sugar into our cells.

Type 1 diabetes results when our pancreas can’t make enough insulin, causing our blood sugar to rise to dangerous levels.

DEFINITION:A pancreas transplant

is a surgical procedure to place a

healthy pancreas from a diceased donor into

a person whose pancreas no longer functions properly.

WHY IS IT DONE?:

It’s not a standard treatment. Often, the side effects of the anti-rejection medications required after a pancreas transplant, can be serious.

But if you have any of the following, the pancreas transplant may be worthwhile:

1. Type 1 diabetes that can’t be controlled with standard treatment.

2. Frequent insulin reactions.

3. Consistently poor blood sugar control.

4. Severe kidney damage.

RISKS:

Pancreas transplant surgery carries a risk of significant complications, including:

Blood clots.Bleeding.Infections.Excess sugar in your blood (hyperglycemia).

Urinary complications, including leaking or urinary tract infections.

Failured of the donated pancreas.

Rejection of the donated pancreas.

ANTI-REJECTION MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS:

After a pancreas transplant, you will take medications for the rest of your life to help prevent your body from rejecting the donor pancreas. These medications can cause a variety of side effects, including:

1. Bone thinning.2. High cholesterol.3. High blood pressure.4. Skin sensitivity.5. Puffiness.6. Weight gain.7. Swollen gums.8. Acne.9. Excessive hair growth.

HOW YOU PREPARE: Choosing a transplant centre: If your doctor recommends a pancreas transplant, you will be refered to a transplant centre. You’re also free to select a transplant centre on your own or choose a centre of your insurance company’s list of preferred providers.

Staying healthy: Whether you’re waiting for a donated pancreas to become available or your transplant surgery is already scheduled, it’s important to keep your mind and body healthy.

1. Take your medications as prescribed.2. Follow your diet and exercise guidelines.3. Keep all the appointments with your health care team.4. Stay involved in healthy activities, including relaxing

and spending time with families and friends.

If you’re waiting for a donated pancreas, make sure the transplant team knows how to reach you at all times and arranged transportation to the transplant centre in advance.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT:

During a pancreas transplant: Surgeons perform pancreas transplant during general anesthesia, so your unconscious during the procedure.

Pancreas transplant surgery usually lasts about three hours. Simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant surgery takes a few more hours.

AFTER A PANCREAS TRANSPLANT:1. Stay in the intensive care unit for a few days.

2. Spend about one week in the hospital.3. Have frequent check ups as you continue

recovering.4. Take lifelong medications.

After a successful pancreas transplant your immune system will try to reject your new pancreas. So you will need medications to supress your immune system. Because of this, your body will be more vulnerable to infections, for that reason your doctor may also prescribe antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal medications.

RESULTS: If your new pancreas fails, you can resume insulin

treatments and consider a second transplant. This decision will depend on your current health, your ability to withstand surgery and your spectations for maintaining a certain quality of life.

The side effects of a pancreas transplant can be significant, so a pancreas transplant is tipically reserved for those who have serious diabetes complications. A pancreas transplant is often done in conjuction with a kidney transplant.

Because type 2 diabetes occurs due to the body’s inability to use insulin properly – and not beacuse of a problem with insulin production in the pancreas – a pancreas transplant isn’t a treatment option for most people with type 2 diabetes.

Info: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pancreas-transplant/MY00762http://fremdeng.ning.com/profiles/blogs/stiff-a-fascinating-read-but-not-for-the-faint-of-heart

Team:Valeria Marchena; Laura Ramírez; Michael Cejas; Jesica Rainhart.

Questions:What aspects, in your opinion, are important to consider when choosing a transplant centre?what do you think about why the kidney transplant is done simoultaneous to pancreas transplant?