Kidney Pancreas Transplant
Banner Good Samaritan Transplant Services has a team dedicated to providing the best care available to patients requiring a kidney-pancreas transplant. Our team includes transplant surgeons, nephrologists (physicians specializing in kidney disease), nurse practitioners, transplant nurse coordinators, social workers, nutritionists, financial counselors, and pharmacists.
Many people with Type 1 Diabetes face the possibility of kidney failure. Banner Good Samaritan Transplant Services performs kidney/pancreas transplant surgeries that eliminate the patient’s need for daily insulin injections. This operation transplants a kidney and a pancreas at the same time.
- Patients who benefit
- How do I get on the transplant list?
- What can I expect when I have the surgery?
- What can I expect during the hospitalization?
- Our pledge to you
Patients who benefit
Those between the ages of 18 and 55, who have kidney failure and Type 1 Diabetes, formerly called Juvenile Diabetes, may qualify for a kidney-pancreas transplant. In these patients, the pancreas does not make any insulin at all.
With Type 2 Diabetes, also known as Adult Onset Diabetes, the pancreas still makes some insulin but the body is not able to use it effectively. A person with Type 2 Diabetes will still need the person to take insulin and will not benefit from a pancreas transplant.
How do I get on the transplant list?
The transplant team thoroughly evaluates potential recipients referred by the patient’s nephrologist or diabetes doctor. The evaluation can can identify potential medical problems and determine whether transplantation is truly in the best interest of the patient. The outpatient evaluation takes two or three days. Results are reviewed by kidney transplant team members.
If accepted for transplantation, the patient is listed with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the national computerized waiting list that matches transplanted recipients with available organs. Patients are prioritized on the waiting list based on waiting time, compatibility between donor and recipient blood types and HLA testing. The average wait time is two to three years. Patients and families can take advantage of the many resources available to them during this waiting period, including transplant education and support groups.
What can I expect when I have the surgery?
When a donor has been identified, the kidney-pancreas transplant patient is admitted to Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center for the transplant surgery. 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 ythe bowel. All of this is done through a single incision.
What can I expect during the hospitalization?
The usual hospital stay is five to seven days. The transplant recipient is helped by experienced staff members to learn about the immuno-suppressive medications needed to prevent rejection; nutrition; coping strategies; and daily care following discharge.
Transplant recipients will continue to be monitored at the transplant clinic following discharge from the hospital.
Statistics from the U.S. Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Data show our overall kidney graft survival is 100 percent in 2008; compared with the national average of 92.6 percent. For pancreas our 2008 survival rates was 95.83 percent compared with the sational average of 85.01 percent.
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.
If you any more questions regarding kidney/pancreas transplants at Banner Good Samaritan Transplant Services, please contact us at at (602) 251-2700 or toll-free at 1 (800) 554-1923; by fax at (602) 251-2750; or by e-mail.
