Pancreas Transplantation

Abstract

Pancreas transplantation was first begun for the treatment of type 1 diabetes in humans in 1966. Not many procedures were performed up to 1978 because of the low rates of graft survival. Thereafter, important improvements in immunosuppressive therapy developed, most notably the use of anti‐T‐cell agents and cyclosporine. These new drugs, combined with new surgical techniques and the selection of healthier recipients, led to a much greater use of pancreas transplant for therapeutic intervention. By the year 2000, over 14 000 pancreas transplantations had been performed worldwide. Successful pancreas transplantation restores normal glycemia and glucagon and symptom responses to hypoglycemia as well as stabilizes neuropathy and macrovascular disease. It can also reverse structural damage in kidneys. Quality‐of‐life studies demonstrate excellent acceptance of the procedure by patients.