A pancreas transplant is surgery to give you a healthy pancreas. It may be combined with a kidney transplant if you also have kidney failure. The new organs come from a person (donor) who is deceased.
Before the transplant, you'll have many tests. These include tests to see how well the donor pancreas matches your tissue type and blood type.
During surgery, the doctor makes a cut (incision) in the middle of your belly. The donor pancreas is connected to your small intestine or your bladder so that digestive juices from the pancreas can drain. A small section of the donor's small intestine (duodenum) is also transplanted for that purpose. The doctor then connects the blood vessels of the donor organ to your blood vessels. Your own pancreas may still help with digestion. It will be left in your body unless it's causing problems. The doctor closes the incision with stitches or staples.
You may need a transplant if your pancreas doesn't work as it should. This is usually because of type 1 diabetes. But it may also be due to chronic pancreatitis or an injury to the pancreas.
During a pancreas transplant, the diseased pancreas is usually left in place. The donated pancreas is placed in the front part of the belly and connected to the blood vessels of the lower belly. It is connected to your small intestine or your bladder so the digestive juices from the pancreas can drain. A small section of the donor's small intestine (the duodenum) is also transplanted for that purpose.
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