Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026

13:19
Mouse Model for Pancreas Transplantation Using a Modified Cuff Technique
Published on: December 16, 2017
Lessons learned from more than 1,000 pancreas transplants at a single institution
D E Sutherland1, R W Gruessner, D L Dunn
1Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. dsuther@tc.umn.edu
Annals of Surgery
|April 17, 2001
Summary
Pancreas transplant survival rates have significantly improved due to advancements in surgical techniques and immunosuppression protocols. These transplants offer a viable option for all stages of diabetes, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation immunology
- Surgical innovation
- Diabetes management
Background:
- Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus presents significant management challenges and complications.
- Pancreas transplantation, initiated in 1966, has evolved with improving outcomes.
- This study retrospectively analyzes factors contributing to enhanced pancreas transplant success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate pancreas transplant outcomes over 33 years.
- To identify risk factors influencing success.
- To assess the impact of evolving surgical techniques and immunosuppression.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1,194 pancreas transplants (1966-2000).
- Categorization into five eras based on surgical and immunosuppressive advancements.
- Comparison of outcomes across different transplant types (SPK, PAK, PTA) and eras.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in patient and graft survival rates observed over time.
- Specific immunosuppressive protocols (tacrolimus, MMF, daclizumab) and surgical techniques (bladder vs. enteric drainage) impacted outcomes.
- Living donor transplants showed higher graft survival; reduced vascular disease correlated with better outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Pancreas transplant success has markedly improved due to evolving surgical and immunosuppressive strategies.
- Pancreas transplantation is a viable option for all diabetes stages, with early transplantation preferred for labile cases.
- Islet transplantation is a future alternative, but pancreas transplantation remains crucial.

