Pancreas Transplant Surgery

As of 2025, there has been a projected number of 9.50 million people in the United States with Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is considered heavily severe compared to Type 2 diabetes, the more common form. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas completely stops producing insulin in the human body. Insulin allows for glucose to be used as energy in our bodies and helps balance blood glucose levels. Without it, our bodies would lack significant amounts of glucose and energy. A lack of insulin and a build-up of glucose can lead to diabetes-related ketoacidosis, a life-threatening disease. 

So how does a pancreatic transplant actually work? First, a patient will be evaluated and educated on the transplant. A review of the medical history, a physical examination, a psychosocial evaluation, and a meeting with a financial counselor will take place. A patient will also receive blood tests for tissue types and diseases, as well as heart tests, chest x-rays, dental exams, cancer screenings, nutrition evaluations, and gynecological exams. 

Next, a pancreas transplant is typically performed with anesthesia over four to six hours. During the procedure, the donor pancreas and intestine are placed in the lower abdomen which is connected to the patient's small intestine. The new pancreas is also attached to blood vessels in the lower abdomen for blood flow. Meanwhile, the original pancreas continues to produce digestive enzymes.  

Lastly, depending on the individual patient, recovery can take from a few days to multiple weeks. For the first few days, a patient will remain under intensive care for closer monitoring. After discharge, they will have frequent checkups for months. Patients must also take immunosuppressive medications to prevent the body from rejecting the new organ in the long-term.  Following a transplant, patients should maintain a healthy lifestyle to protect their body and organs. They should also follow a nutritious diet and stay active as well as have frequent follow ups after surgery to monitor transplant function.

Written by Urvi Vora at Incisionary

APA References

Graham D. Ogle. (2025, May 22). Global type 1 diabetes prevalence, incidence, and mortality estimates 2025: Results from the International Diabetes Federation Atlas, 11th edition, and the T1D index version 3.0. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168822725002918

DiGiacinto, J. (2025, April 15). Insulin: Function, types, and how to use. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/insulin#types-of-insulin

Pancreas Transplant Evaluation & Process: Medstar health. Evaluation & Process | MedStar Health. (n.d.). https://www.medstarhealth.org/services/pancreas-transplant#:~:text=During%20the%20surgery%2C%20the%20surgeon,combined%20kidney%20and%20pancreas%20transplant.

Pancreas transplant. Pancreas transplant | HealthLink BC. (n.d.). https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthwise/pancreas-transplant

Pancreas transplant: Conditions & treatments: UT southwestern medical center. Conditions & Treatments | UT Southwestern Medical Center. (n.d.). https://utswmed.org/conditions-treatments/pancreas-transplant/#:~:text=The%20Procedure,blood%20vessels%20and%20the%20bladder.

Pancreas transplantation. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2019, November 19). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/pancreas-transplant#:~:text=Pancreas%20transplantation%20is%20a%20type,kidney%20damage%20will%20go%20down.professional

 C. C. medical. (2025, March 19). What is insulin?. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22601-insulin