Use of Portal Vein Extension Grafts in Pancreas Transplantation: Incidence of Vascular Thrombosis

Abstract

Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney (SPK) transplants remains the gold standard for long-term euglycemia in insulin dependent diabetic patients with renal failure. Vascular complications accounts for most graft loss in the early post-operative period. Portal Venous Extension Grafts [PVEG] are used in pancreas transplantation to salvage a short donor portal vein or to facilitate an easier anastomosis. A single center retrospective analysis of outcomes was performed to determine if PVEG were associated with comparable vascular complications.