Karen O'Neill, RN, CNN Pancreas Transplantation Coordinator

Phone: 215-955-7625

Jefferson's Pancreas Transplantation Surgery Program was established in 1996. This type of transplant is done to cure diabetes and is most commonly performed in individuals with Type 1 diabetes.

There are three distinct categories 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 for patients with type I insulin-dependent diabetes with failed or failing kidneys. A healthy, new pancreas allows patients to begin producing normal blood sugars which prevents damage to the new kidney.
  
  
• Pancreas After Kidney (PAK) – After a successful kidney transplant, some patients with type I insulin-dependent diabetes wish to prevent damage to the new kidney and may seek a new pancreas. These patients may be suitable candidates for PAK.
  
  
• Pancreas Transplant Alone (PTA) – Some individuals with “hypoglycemic unawareness” or “brittle diabetes” may be candidates for PTA. Their kidney function is good, but their uncontrolled diabetes is causing severe, sometimes life-threatening swings in their glucose levels.

There are of course other options for treating diabetes and these include different types of insulin therapy, in some cases medicines by mouth, and islet transplantation. Pancreas transplantation is definitely not for all diabetics and  many things need to be considered before this transplant is performed. Physicians at Jefferson are experts in all the different diabetic treatment options and therefore can make the best individualized treatment decision. Our pancreas transplantation program is committed to quality and to presenting the right therapeutic choices for our patients.

Immunosuppression is required to prevent rejection of a pancreas transplant. Jefferson's transplant team has been in the forefront of using immunosuppressive drug regimens that minimize side effects.

The first step begins with a thorough physical evaluation by the Jefferson Pancreas Transplantation Team. Jefferson’s transplant surgeons are supported by transplant nurse coordinators, social workers, a transplant pharmacist and a financial coordinator as well as physician specialists from  nephrology and  endocrinology.

Patients benefit from our Program's team approach that assists them from the time of their first evaluation through surgery and recovery. The Team continues follow-up care through clinic visits and monitored laboratory studies.