Intra-abdominal complications after pancreas transplantation

Abstract

Abstract Pancreas transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) secondary to type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), either simultaneously with a cadaver kidney transplant or after a living donor kidney transplant. Recent advances in immunosuppression and surgical technique have encouraged extension of this procedure to selected pre-uremic diabetics with poor glucose control as well. Currently, over 1,300 pancreas transplants are performed annually in the United States. Over the past decade, the technique of whole-organ pancreas transplantation has evolved such that the majority of cases are placed intra-abdominally with enteric drainage of pancreatic exocrine secretions. This report reviews the intra-abdominal surgical complications after pancreas transplantation. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.