Pancreas Transplant

Pancreas transplantation can help manage complications in the kidney that may result from insulin-dependent diabetes. A successful pancreas transplant will eliminate the need for insulin injections, reduce or eliminate dietary and activity restrictions due to diabetes and decrease or eliminate the risk of severe low blood sugar reactions.

UCSF Medical Center is a leader in pancreas and pancreas-kidney transplants for patients with diabetes mellitus. We offer three kinds of pancreas transplants:

• A combined pancreas and kidney transplant for diabetics suffering from end-stage kidney disease (ESRD).

• A solitary pancreas transplant to prevent the onset of diabetic complications in the kidney, including a previously transplanted kidney.

• Islet transplantation -- a relatively minor surgical procedure, although it carries the same rejection risks as other transplants.

In the past two years, we have performed over 60 pancreas transplants, making us one of the busiest centers in the country. Although these operations are more complex than solitary kidney transplants and require close post-operative follow-up, our patients have done extremely well and enjoy a life free of dialysis and insulin therapy.

Since 1989, we have performed combined pancreas-kidney transplants in more than 200 type 1 diabetic patients. Our one-year success rates are 95 percent for kidneys, 90 percent for pancreases and 100 percent patient survival. The five-year patient survival rate is 86 percent.

Read about the personal experiences of our pancreas transplant patients.

For more information, please call:
Nurse Coordinator Vel Garrick (415) 353-1551.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated August 29, 2007