Pancreas Transplant
The possibility of having a pancreas transplant can feel overwhelming. Our experienced team understands and is here to support you. Our pancreas transplant program is the largest in the state and will care for you every step of the way with a proven track record of excellent outcomes.
Why choose us for pancreas transplant?
WashU Medicine physicians deliver national leading transplant care at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital. Our transplant center has performed over 200 pancreas transplants. Our skilled transplant team uses their knowledge and experience to provide exceptional care throughout the transplant process.
We offer:
- Comprehensive Type 1 diabetes care: Our transplant surgeons and nephrologists have extensive expertise performing and managing pancreas transplants for Type 1 diabetes.
- Excellent outcomes: Our pancreas transplant outcomes consistently meet or exceed national averages.
- Innovative organ acquisition: We work closely with an organ procurement organization (OPO)—Mid-America Transplant—to streamline pancreas transplantation.
- Team approach: Our dedicated transplant team of nurse coordinators, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, surgeons, and nephrologists provide coordinated care throughout the transplant process. You get a seamless experience and are at a decreased risk for infection following surgery.
- Research and innovation: Our partnership with WashU Medicine means we are actively involved in pancreas transplant research. This dedication to research gives you access to the latest innovations in pancreas transplant care.
- Patient and family support: You and your loved ones get access to education, support groups, psychological counseling, and our Transplant Mentor Program. In this program, someone who has already had a transplant provides you with information, guidance, and emotional support.
What is pancreas transplant?
A pancreas transplant is a type of surgery in which you receive a healthy donor pancreas.
A pancreas transplant is a choice for some people with type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the pancreas doesn't make the hormone insulin. The usual treatment for type 1 diabetes is daily injections of insulin.
During a pancreas transplant, you’ll receive a healthy pancreas from a donor who has died. If you have kidney failure from your diabetes, your surgeon may also do a kidney transplant at the same time. Or the kidney transplant may be done earlier or after the pancreas transplant.
In a pancreas transplant, your own pancreas stays in your body. The surgeon connects the new pancreas to your intestines or to your urinary bladder. This is so its digestive juices can flow right into your intestines or into your bladder. After a successful transplant, you may no longer need to take insulin to control your blood sugar. Instead, the new pancreas will create insulin for you. You may be able to eat a regular diet, too. In addition, you will likely have few or no episodes of low (or very high) blood sugar. Your risk for kidney, eye, and nerve damage will also likely go down.
Search for a specialist
Our highly trained team of specialists offers advanced treatments as well as compassionate, personalized care.
Pancreas transplant testing and treatments
We understand that people with Type 1 diabetes may experience health problems that significantly affect quality of life.
Our specialists perform several types of pancreas transplants for Type 1 diabetes. They can address complications such as severe hypoglycemia (extremely low blood sugar) and brittle diabetes (poorly controlled Type 1 diabetes).
Our pancreas transplant outcomes consistently meet or exceed national averages, allowing you to live a full, healthy life. We have completed over 200 pancreas transplants, so you can trust our thorough experience at every step of the transplant process.
We offer several pancreas transplant options: