Kidney Pancreas Transplant
Patient with diabetes face increased risk of kidney damage. Banner Good Samaritan Transplant Services in Arizona performs kidney-pancreas transplant surgeries that eliminate a patient's need for daily insulin injections. This operation performs a kidney transplant and pancreas transplant at the same time.
Who can qualify for these transplants?
Patients who are between the ages of 18 and 55 and who have kidney failure and Type 1 Diabetes, formerly called Juvenile Diabetes, can qualify.
Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, also known as Adult Onset Diabetes, don't qualify because their pancreas can still make some insulin.
Transplant candidates must be of normal weight and be able to understand and follow instructions on caring for the transplant. They must not have any cancer, HIV or active infections.
With a successful transplant there will be no need for dialysis or insulin injections. The transplant will also prevent or slow down the complications of diabetes.
How do I get on the transplant list?
You will need to be referred to Banner Good Samaritan Transplant Services by your kidney or diabetes doctor.
Once your referral has been received, you will be called for an appointment to meet with the Transplant Coordinator, Social Worker, Nutritionist, Financial Coordinator and Transplant Surgeon. At this meeting, you will be given a list of any additional testing that you will need to be considered as a transplant candidate. Once this testing is completed, a decision will be made whether you are acceptable for this surgery. If accepted, you will be placed on the transplant waiting list.
The decision about who gets a specific kidney/pancreas transplant is based on:
- Waiting Time.
- Tissue compatibility between donor and the recipient.
- Compatible Blood Type.
The average wait time for most people is two to three years.
What can I expect when I have the surgery?
The surgery will take place at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, located at 12th Street and McDowell Road in Phoenix, Ariz. This operation takes between five and seven hours. The pancreas is placed on one side of the lower abdomen and the kidney is placed on the opposite side. The pancreas is connected to the bowel to drain the digestive enzymes into your bowel. All of this is done through a single incision. After surgery, you will go to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for one or two days of close monitoring.
What can I expect during the hospitalization?
The usual hospital stay is five to seven days. After ICU, you will stay on the ninth floor, our transplant unit. The Transplant Team will teach you about the medications you need to take to prevent a rejection of the organs. All patients come to the Transplant Clinic after discharge from the hospital. You will be given instructions on how often you need to go there. The average is two visits a week for the first few weeks. After three months you will return to the care of your kidney doctor.
National statistics from the United Network of Organ Sharing show a 70- to 80-percent one-year success rate. Banner Good Samaritan has a 91 percent one-year success rate.
Our pledge to you:
A kidney/pancreas transplant is an exciting, positive event in the life of a person with diabetes and kidney failure. It is also an emotional time that requires patience, hard work, understanding and commitment to help it be a success. We pledge to do our part by helping you in every way possible, before, during and after the surgery.
Banner Good Samaritan Transplant Services
1410 N. Third St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 251-2700 or (800) 554-1923
Fax: 602-251-2750
