A microsurgical technique for simultaneous pancreas and renal transplantation in the rat

A successful technique of simultaneous pancreatico-renal transplantation into the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat is described employing a sutureless cuff technique for three of four vascular anastomoses. Reversal of the diabetic state was uniformly observed within 24 hours postoperatively and near-normal renal function was evidenced by 50 days postoperatively. The technique is reliable and reproducible and represents the first report of successful combined transplantation into the diabetic rat.