Combined kidney/pancreas transplantation at the Ohio State University Hospitals

We conclude that combined kidney and pancreas transplantation is a safe and effective procedure to treat complicated Type I diabetic patients. It does carry significant potential for morbidity; therefore, it is essential that potential recipients understand these details prior to considering the procedure. Adequate preoperative screening for coronary artery disease is essential. The most difficult problem is dealing with early posttransplant dehydration and acidosis. More sensitive tools are needed to diagnose acute rejection in both combined kidney/pancreas recipients, as well as pancreas-alone grafts. Infectious complications are frequent, but most pose little morbidity. Currently, the incidence of early thrombosis is negligible. Even with these complications, overall excellent patient outcome demonstrates that kidney and pancreas transplantation should be the procedure of choice in well-selected Type 1 diabetics with end-stage renal disease.