Pancreas retransplantation: outcomes of 20 cases

Transplant Proc. 2006 Jul-Aug;38(6):1937-8. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2006.06.055.

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to evaluate our initial experience with pancreas retransplantation. From January 26, 1996 to February 2005, 285 pancreas transplantations were performed, including 20 (7%) retransplants. The causes of primary graft loss were graft thrombosis in 11 (55%, 7 venous and 4 arterial); 4 (20%) chronic rejections; 2 (10%) ischemia/reperfusion injury; 1 severe graft pancreatitis; 1 primary nonfunction; and 1 sepsis. Venous drainage was placed in the iliac vessels in 14 (70%), vena cava in 5 (25%), and portal drainage in 1. The exocrine drainage was vesical in 16 (80%) and enteric in 4 (20%). In 14 cases (70%), the primary graft was removed before and in 6 (30%) at the time of retransplantation. Immunosuppression was based on antilymphocyte induction, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids in all patients. One-year patient and graft survivals were 95% and 85%. In conclusion, pancreas retransplants were feasible with results comparable to a primary pancreas transplantation.

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / surgery
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / surgery
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation / statistics & numerical data
  • Pancreas Transplantation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Reoperation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome