Pancreas Transplantation Center

What is a Pancreas Transplant Center? What are the Tests Performed for a Pancreas Recipient?

Pancreas Transplantation Center is a health center that provides comprehensive examination and treatment services and performs life-saving transplant procedures for patients whose pancreas has lost its function.

About Pancreas Transplant Center

A pancreas transplant center is a specialized health center that provides pancreas transplantation services, especially to improve the quality of life of patients with Type 1 diabetes. In these centers, comprehensive tests and evaluations are performed to determine whether patients are suitable for pancreas transplantation. Pancreas transplant centers work with a multidisciplinary approach, providing surgical, medical and psychological support to best meet the needs of patients.

What is done at the Pancreas Transplant Center?

Pancreas Transplantation Center is a specialized healthcare institution that provides all medical services required for the planning and execution of pancreas transplantation.

• Pancreas Transplant Evaluation: It is determined whether patients are suitable for pancreas transplantation. In this process, the patient's medical history, current health status and complications of diabetes are taken into account.
• Exams and Tests: Candidates who are suitable for pancreas transplantation are determined and extensive medical tests are performed during this process. These tests evaluate the health status of both the recipient and the potential donor.
• Surgical Preparation: Preparations are made for the transplant surgery, and all necessary medical and surgical precautions are taken before the surgery.
• Surgery: A pancreas transplant surgery is performed. This surgery can usually be done as a pancreas transplant alone or a combined kidney-pancreas transplant.
• Post-Operative Follow-Up: After the transplant, the recovery process of the patients is carefully monitored and necessary immunosuppressive treatments are applied.

What Are the Tests Performed for a Pancreas Recipient?

A series of tests and evaluations are performed to determine suitable candidates for pancreas transplantation.

• Blood Tests: Tests are performed regarding the patient's blood type, organ functions, infection risks and immune system.
• Imaging Methods: The condition of the pancreas and other organs is evaluated with methods such as ultrasound, MRI and CT.
• Biopsy: If necessary, a biopsy can be performed to examine pancreatic tissue.
• Psychological Evaluation: A psychological evaluation is performed to determine whether the patient is mentally prepared for the transplant process.
• Other Tests: Additional tests such as evaluating kidney functions, cardiovascular health, eye and nerve damage may be performed to see the effects of diabetes on the body.

Who Can Benefit from a Pancreas Transplant?

Pancreas transplantation can be a lifesaver, especially for people with type 1 diabetes. This transplant is recommended for patients who have frequent episodes of low blood sugar, have difficulty controlling their blood sugar despite insulin therapy, or have developed serious complications of diabetes. In addition, people with type 1 diabetes who have kidney failure may benefit from a kidney transplant along with a pancreas transplant.

Are All Diabetic Patients Suitable for Pancreas Transplantation?

Not every diabetic is a candidate for a pancreas transplant. Pancreas transplantation is usually considered for people with type 1 diabetes, because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. People with type 2 diabetes are generally not candidates for a pancreas transplant, because the body becomes resistant to insulin, regardless of whether the pancreas produces insulin.

However, some people with type 2 diabetes may be candidates for pancreas transplantation if they have a combination of low insulin resistance and low insulin production. Approximately 15% of pancreas transplants are performed on people with type 2 diabetes.

A thorough medical evaluation is necessary to determine if you are a candidate for a transplant. This process must be managed carefully, as the immunosuppressive drugs used after the transplant can have serious side effects. For this reason, pancreas transplantation is usually recommended for patients with severe complications of diabetes.