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For patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and renal failure from diabetic nephropathy, simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation(SPK) has become an accepted therapy. The benefits of pancreas transplantation are that it normalizes glucose control without the need for insulin administration, improves QOL (quality of life) of diabetic patients and prevents sequelae of hyperglycemia such as diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy. At present, over 1,000 cases/year of pancreas transplantation are performed worldwide, the majority in the US. Currently, there are three types of pancreas transplantation: SPK (simultaneous pancreas and kidney), PAK (pancreas after kidney), and PTA (pancreas transplantation alone). SPK transplantation is the most prevalent, representing 80～90% of the cases, but sometimes PTA is considered in the early stage of diabetic complications to prevent the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Management of surgical complications and rejection has been the key to success of pancreas transplantation. Surgical technique can be categorized according to different pancreas exocrine secretion drainage, including enteric drainage, duct injection and bladder drainage. Medications for postoperative management include antibiotics to prevent infectious disease, anticoagulants and immunosuppressants. Usually, the immunosuppressive protocol for pancreas transplantation is more aggressive than that for kidney transplantation. It is very important to closely monitor graft function for the successful outcome. Currently graft survival has been improved as around 85% of 1 yr graft survival and fairly good longterm survival. In near future islet cell transplantation will be an alternative treatment modality in DM in the condition of improved long term graft survival.
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