Pancreas Transplant

Pancreas Transplant Process

A pancreas transplant involves more than just surgery. Evaluation and preparation, waiting for transplant and recovery are all part of the journey for you and your family. After recovery from the surgery, you'll need to make some lifestyle changes to maintain your health.

Preparation

Your Mayo Clinic doctors will examine you to determine whether a transplant may be safe and beneficial. You'll likely stay at Mayo Clinic for two days to complete your evaluation, which includes:

• Blood tests
• Chest X-ray
• Electrocardiogram and other heart testing
• Meeting with doctors who specialize in diabetes
• Meeting with doctors who specialize in kidney-pancreas transplant

Transplant surgery

Surgery usually takes about three hours. During surgery, your surgeon makes an incision down the center of your abdomen. The surgeon places the donor pancreas near your bladder in the middle or right side of your pelvis. Your original pancreas isn't removed because it will continue to aid in digestion. The surgeon connects the donor pancreas to vessels that supply blood to your legs. The donor pancreas should begin to function immediately.

During recovery, you'll gradually experience less discomfort in the incision area and return to normal activity.

After transplant

After leaving the hospital, you'll need to stay near Mayo Clinic for three to four weeks so your doctors can monitor the function of your new pancreas and your recovery. During your visits, you'll learn about:

• Care at home. Mayo Clinic staff will update your doctor about your progress and provide recommendations. You may need to return to Mayo Clinic for follow-up appointments during the first year after surgery and, possibly, once a year after that.
• Long-term health issues. Most people who receive a pancreas transplant can resume their daily activities within three to six weeks after surgery. It's important that you carefully follow the treatment plan developed by your doctor and the Mayo Clinic transplant team.
• Medications. People who receive a pancreas transplant need lifelong medicines (immunosuppressants) to prevent rejection of the transplanted pancreas. You must take these medications daily after surgery.

Read more about X-ray and electrocardiogram at MayoClinic.com.