Pancreas Transplant Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Pancreas Transplant, including details on risks, prognosis, procedure, surgery, organ donation.

An evidence-based analysis of simultaneous pancreas-kidney and pancreas transplantation alone.

Demartines N, Schiesser M, Clavien PA

Department of Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.

While pancreas transplantation has evolved within two decades from a frustrating and poorly-accepted therapeutic option to a highly successful procedure, the respective benefits of the successive surgical and immunosuppressive developments have remained unclear. The aim of this study was to determine using an evidence-based methodology, which novel approaches have contributed to the current results and whether pancreas transplantation is cost-effective. Out of 2481 articles, 102 analyzed either surgical or immunosuppressive aspects of pancreas transplantation. Urological complications were more frequent in bladder over enteric drainage (range: 62-63% vs. 12-20%, p = 0.0001), but without significant difference in patient or graft survival. Portal drainage was associated with a trend toward fewer complications and better hyperinsulinemia control over systemic drainage in retrospective studies. Immunosuppression combining induction therapy, a calcineurin inhibitor, mycophenolate mophetil (MMF) and corticosteroids were associated with a 40% decreased incidence of rejection (p = 0.01) and an increase in graft survival above 90% at 1 year (p < 0.05). Pancreas transplantation is highly cost-effective compared to conservative alternatives. We conclude that despite a paucity of large studies, enteric drainage should be recommended but the benefits of portal venous drainage remain debated. Quadruple immunosuppression protocols including induction therapy should be the standard regimen.

Published 10 October 2005 in Am J Transplant, 5(11): 2688-97.
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