Abstract

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the results of simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantation. Between Feb. 1988 and Jan. 2009, 101transplantations were performed. Type 1 diabetes, complicated by end-stage renal insufficiency was an indication. 25 segmental pancreas transplantations were accomplished. In 76 patients total pancreas transplantation was performed including 12 cases with venous anastomosis to the portal system. Patient's follow-up ranged from 1 to 242 months. Cumulative patient's survival rates in 1, 3, 5, 10, 12 years post transplantation were 78%, 73%, 67%, 50%, 43% respectively. Cumulative graft survival rates in 1, 3, 5, 10, 12 years post transplantation were for kidney grafts: 90%, 85%, 76%, 68%, and 68% and for pancreas transplants: 67%, 62%, 59%, 51%, and 51% respectively. Excluding from analysis 6 primarily non-functioning pancreatic segment transplantations no differences in functioning of the transplanted whole and segmental pancreatic grafts were observed. Infections were the main cause of death in the first 18 months after transplantation (20/22; 91%). Deaths in the later period were caused by cardiovascular complications (11/13; 84.6%) (p<0.01). Cumulated survival rates of long term functioning technically successful simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplants were similar and did not present any statistically significant differences. Sepsis was the main cause of deaths within the first 18 months after pancreas transplantation.

Keywords: Kidney Transplantation, Pancreas Transplantation