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Pancreas-Kidney Transplant
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Celebrating 15 Years
The Toronto Pancreas Transplant Program
Diabetes is a serious, chronic disease. It shortens life expectancy and reduces the quality of life. Even with insulin therapy, people with diabetes sometimes have difficulty controlling their blood sugars. Taking too much insulin, missing a meal, or over-exercising can make blood sugar go too low (hypoglycemia). Effects can range from feeling tired to seizures and unconsciousness.
Over time, people with diabetes are also at greater risk for problems linked to the damage of small and large blood vessels. This includes damage to the kidneys leading to nephropathy – the foremost cause of kidney failure.
The Toronto Pancreas Transplant Program helps people suffering from long term complications related to Type 1 Diabetes.
The Program employs advanced surgical techniques in transplantation, modern immunosuppressant therapies and world class patient-centered care so transplant recipients can enjoy better health and a longer life.
There are three types of transplantation supported by the Program:
- Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPK) when the pancreas and kidney are transplanted simultaneously from the same deceased donor
- Pancreas-after-kidney transplant (PAK) when the pancreas transplantation is performed after a previous kidney transplantation, and
- Pancreas transplant alone (PTA) for patients with Type 1 Diabetes suffering from severe, hypoglycemic unawareness, but adequate kidney function.
After a successful kidney/pancreas transplantation, dialysis and insulin therapy are no longer required. Transplant recipients generally feel better, spend less time in hospital, enjoy a normal diet and return to a more normal lifestyle. A pancreas transplant can also help stabilize diabetic complications.
Is a kidney/pancreas transplant right for you?
If you have Type I Diabetes and you have kidney failure (or the beginning of kidney failure) or severe hypoglycemia, a transplant could be an appropriate treatment option.
By the numbers:
| 18 to 27 | The average number of years Diabetes can shorten life expectancy |
15 |
The years since the Toronto Pancreas Transplant Program began at Toronto General Hospital |
25 to 30 |
The average number of kidney-pancreas transplants at Toronto General Hospital each year |
285 |
The number of pancreas-kidney and pancreas-after-kidney transplants since the Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Program began in 1995 |
5 |
The number of transplant team professionals (i.e. Kidney Specialist, Cardiologist, Transplant Surgeon, Social Worker and Transplant Nurse Coordinator) dedicated to the health and well-being of a kidney/pancreas transplant recipient |
5 to 7 |
The hours it takes to complete kidney/pancreas transplant operation |
7 to 12 |
The days a transplant recipient can expect to spend in hospital |
For more information about the Toronto Pancreas Transplant Program email Pancreas.Info@uhn.on.ca
