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Pancreas Transplant

A pancreas transplant may involve either the whole pancreas, a pancreas segment, pancreas islet cells, or pancreas stem cells. Whole organ transplants are far more common but a segmental transplant is possible. Segmental transplants are done if a living donor is involved. Many pancreas transplants also involve transplantation of the duodenum.

The kidney is frequently transplanted with the pancreas in the U.S. Many people suffering from pancreas failure also have renal failure. In most cases a kidney-pancreas transplant is performed from a deceased donor. But there have been several transplants performed using a living donor, with one kidney and a pancreas segment being donated.

Reviewed by Jason C. Baker, M.D. 06/11