About the Pancreas Transplant Program
Established in 1996, Jefferson's Pancreas Transplant Program is dedicated to providing treatment for diabetes, particularly Type 1 diabetes. Before you can be considered for a pancreas transplant, the first step begins with a thorough physical evaluation by our team of transplant surgeons, transplant nurse coordinators, social workers, a transplant pharmacist and a financial coordinator as well as nephrologists and endocrinologists.
Our team will assist you from your first evaluation through surgery and recovery and continue follow-up care through clinical visits and monitored laboratory studies.
There are three types of pancreas transplants:
- Simultaneous Pancreas Kidney (SPK) – Most often, patients require a kidney and pancreas transplant at the same time. This is the most common type of pancreas transplant and is the most successful. The SPK is usually performed if you have Type 1 diabetes with failed or failing kidneys. A healthy, new pancreas allows you to begin producing normal blood sugars, which prevents damage to the new kidney.
- Pancreas After Kidney (PAK) – After a successful kidney transplant, Type 1 diabetics sometimes wish to prevent damage to the new kidney by seeking a new pancreas. Therefore, you may be a suitable candidate for PAK.
- Pancreas Transplant Alone (PTA) – If you are described as having "hypoglycemic unawareness" or "brittle diabetes," you may be a candidate for PTA. Your kidney function is good but your uncontrolled diabetes is causing severe, sometimes life-threatening, swings in your glucose levels.
There are other options for treating diabetes, and these include different types of insulin therapy; medicines by mouth; and islet transplantation. Our Pancreas Transplant Program physicians are experts in all the different diabetic treatment options and therefore can make the best individualized treatment decision for you.