Pancreas Transplant Treatment

In this pancreas transplant surgery, new pancreas is transferred from a healthy donor to the patient. It is useful for treating type 1 diabetes. This is a type of disease in which your pancreas is not able to produce insulin hormone. The organ is taken from a deceased donor. Then the pancreas is transplanted in the body of an individual whose organ has become non-functional. During the procedure, a doctor reconnects your intestine with new pancreas, which will help to drain its digestive juices. There will be no requirement of extra insulin injection after the transplantation.

Types of Pancreas Transplant

It includes 3 major types of transplantation:

• Pancreas Transplant Alone: It is quite effective to treat type-1 diabetes in patients whose pancreas is not working, but the kidneys are functional. It only requires a pancreas donor for a recipient.
• Simultaneously Pancreas-Kidney Transplant: It is a common process that involves both kidney and pancreas from the same deceased donor. It is considered for treating End Stage Renal Disease with type 1 diabetes and its complicated conditions. 
• Pancreas-after-Kidney Transplant: It is done after completing the kidney transplant, and an individual has to take risk of surgery twice.

Note: The Common types option is simultaneously deceased donor pancreas and live donor kidney transplant.

Reason for Pancreatic Transplantation

It is done to treat type 1 diabetes and to give a long life. It is required for the following reasons:

• Reduce the risk of diabetes complications
• Food restriction
• Monitoring the level of glucose
• Insulin injection

Procedure of Pancreatic Transplantation

It includes some pre-diagnostic tests, and then treatment is started:

Diagnosis

Your doctor will run some tests, and these are as follows:

• Physical examination
• Psychological evaluation to understand the risk of the surgery
• Imagining tests, like MRI and ultrasound
• Urine test
• Blood tests

Before the Procedure

Before starting the process, it is important to follow these points:

• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Do not take medicines without prescription
• Quit smoking
• Share your medical history with the doctor
• Follow the routine which is asked of you to do.

During the Procedure

It is done in the following steps and these are as follows:

• You will be given general anesthesia to numb the site.
• Some minor cuts are made below the belly button and more cuts are made between the abdomen and thigh.
• Donor’s pancreas is then put inside the right side of your abdomen.
• This new pancreas will connect with blood vessels and the small intestine.
• Now all cuts are closed by using sutures.

After the Procedure

Once the procedure is completed then you will be taken to the recovery room. You have to be there until the doctor will allow you to go home. The healthcare provider will monitor these things:

• Recovery from anesthesia
• Organ rejection
• Complications 
• Any medical issues

After monitoring your health condition, you will be given painkiller and some advises what to do and what not to do

Complications of the Pancreas Transplantation

Every process has some risks, and these are as follows:

• Rejection of transplanted organ
• Infection
• Breathing problem
• Inflammation and swelling of the pancreas
• Clotting
• Leakage of fluid

Recovery After Pancreas Transplantation

It takes up to 6 months to recover from the transplantation, and some mild exercises can be done. You have to make a follow-up appointment with the doctor.

Cost of Pancreas Transplant

Pancreas transplant is one of the rarest types of transplantation that has saved the lives of many people. It may cost you between INR 250,000 to 450,000. It is an estimated value and it can vary from city to city and hospital and hospital. The cost is also depends on its success rate, medicines, procedure, and treatment packages.