Pancreas Transplant
As one of only a few certified transplant centers in New Jersey to perform pancreas transplant procedures, Hackensack University Medical Center's Pancreas Transplant Program helps people who have diabetes to live longer, healthier lives. Although most pancreas transplant candidates have Type 1 diabetes, that cannot be managed well using medications and is causing serious complications, some people with uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes may also need a pancreas transplant.Our transplant options include:
- Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant (SPK)
- Pancreas after kidney transplant (PAK)
- Pancreas alone transplant (PAT)
Pancreas-Kidney Transplant Options
People who have diabetes are at a higher risk of experiencing kidney damage that could eventually lead to kidney failure, also called end-stage kidney disease. To address the needs of patients with diabetes who are experiencing kidney failure, we offer pancreas-kidney transplant options in addition to a pancreas-only transplant.
Surgical and Post-Surgical Care
During surgery, your own pancreas will be left inside your body to help with digestion. Your surgeon will connect the donor pancreas and make sure it has a good blood supply.
If you are also having a kidney transplant, your surgeon will connect the donor kidney.
While a pancreas transplant is functioning, it will cure you of diabetes and you will no longer need to take insulin. Your new pancreas will make insulin for you.
Sometimes a pancreas transplant may even reverse the negative effects that diabetes has already had on your body.
A pancreas transplant will also prevent further damage or complications caused by very low or very high blood sugar, and you will be at a lower risk for kidney damage.
If you also had a successful kidney transplant, you will no longer need dialysis or other kidney disease treatments.
Supportive Services
We offer a full range of supportive services for pancreas transplant candidates both before and after surgery including:
- Mental health care
- Financial counseling
- Disease management services provided before your surgery
- Post-surgical and follow-up care
- Education to teach you how to monitor your condition, administer anti-rejection medications and safely return to everyday activities
