Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Mouse Model for Pancreas Transplantation Using a Modified Cuff Technique
Published on: December 16, 2017
Use of small donors (<28 kg) for pancreas transplantation
H G Illanes1, C M Quarin, R Maurette
1Trasplante Reno-Pancreatico, Nephrology, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. hgillanes@gmail.com
Objective:
Small donors have long been considered a potential source of organs for simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) and pancreas transplantation alone (PTA). Our aim was to analyze our experience with SPK and PTA using small donors weighing <28 kg.
Patients And Methods:
Between September 2006 and October 2008, we performed 68 SPK, 3 PTA, and 3 pancreas after kidney transplantations (PAK). All recipients were adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus, including 8 who received small donor organs (<28 kg): 6 SPK and 2 PTA. We used 3 graft combinations for SPK: pancreas and single kidney; pancreas and en bloc kidneys; and en bloc dual kidney-pancreas. In contrast, we used conventional grafts for PTA. Mean weight among donors was 20.82 kg (range, 9.6-27 kg).
Results:
We observed neither delayed graft function nor mortality. At a follow-up of approximately 281 days, all patients were free of insulin and dialysis treatments.
Conclusions:
Kidneys and pancreas from donors weighing <28 kg can be used in adult type 1 diabetic patients with excellent results. These small pediatric donors enabled us to enlarge the number of transplantations by 10.81%.
