Objective: The transplantation of a cadaveric donor pancreas represents a therapeutic option for the type 1 diabetic. A precondition is the proof of negative serum C-peptide after glucagon stimulation (< 0.02 ng/ml) as it is found in the typical patient with type 1 or a pancreoprive diabetes. The pancreas can be transplanted alone (PTA) or after a kidney (PAK), either following a preceding living related or cadaveric kidney transplantation. The majority of pancreata worldwide are transplanted simultaneously with a kidney (SPK) in stage 4 and 5 (eGFR < 29 ml/min) of chronic kidney disease. The beneficial effect of physiological glucose regulation on mortality, kidney failure and diabetic complications (cardiovascular, neuropathy, retinopathy) is well established. Patient survival rate at 1 year after transplantation is above 90 %, pancreas graft survival overall after 1 year is about 80 %.

Methods: Type 1 diabetic patients with recurrent hypoglycemic episodes or major complications due to dysregulated glucose metabolism qualify for pancreas transplantation alone in case of a stable kidney function. Patients with chronic kidney disease stage 4 and 5 are candidates for SPK. Methods: Pancreatic transplantation into the right iliac fossa.

Conclusions: Although technically demanding, pancreas transplantation is safely performable with a low periprocedural morbidity and mortality. Potential perioperative complications include inflammation, rejection or graft thrombosis. After a successful transplantation, long-term physiological glucose regulation can be achieved which results in a prolonged life expectancy and quality of life in type 1 diabetic patients.