Recipient Selection and Evaluation for Vascularized Pancreas Transplantation

Solitary Pancreas Transplantation: Experience with 62 consecutive cases

“…All patients underwent a comprehensive pretransplant evaluation as outlined previously (11). The medical evaluation was tailored to the individual based on specific signs or symptoms.…”

Decline in native renal function early after bladder-drained pancreas transplantation alone

“…The utility of pancreas transplantation alone (PTA) in patients without end-stage renal disease is less clear. Although PTA has been reported to stabilize or even reverse some of the histologic lesions of diabetic nephropathy, the addition of nephrotoxic immunosuppressive agents and chronic dehydration from bladder drainage of the exocrine secretions may lead to rapid deterioration of native renal function in many patients (4,5). Thus, this early negative effect on renal function may offset any late benefit that prolonged normoglycemia may have.…”

Vascularized islet-cell transplantation in miniature swine. I. Preparation of vascularized islet kidneys

“…Therefore, the ability to create vascularized islet grafts may provide a strategy for successful islet transplantation across allogeneic and potentially across xenogeneic barriers. INTRODUCTION Although recent surgical advances have made pancreatic transplantation a feasible therapy for the diabetic patient (7)(8)(9), a number of barriers currently limit its widespread application. In addition to the worldwide shortage of organs and the complications associated with chronic immunosuppression, there are several technical obstacles unique to pancreatic transplantation, including the likelihood of surgical complications and of pancreatitis (1,2).…”