Pancreas transplantation exists and is indicated for people with type 1 diabetes who cannot control their blood sugar with insulin or who already have serious complications, such as kidney failure, so that the disease can be controlled and stop the development of complications.
This transplant can cure diabetes by suppressing or reducing the need for insulin, but it is indicated in very specific cases, as it also has risks and disadvantages, such as the possibility of complications, such as infections and pancreatitis, in addition to the need to use immunosuppressive medications for the rest of your life, to avoid rejection of the new pancreas.
Generally, the indication of pancreas transplantation is done in 3 ways:
It is also possible to have a pancreas transplant in people with type 2 diabetes, when the pancreas can no longer produce insulin, and there is renal failure, but without severe insulin resistance on the part of the body, which will be determined by the doctor by tests. .
To carry out the transplant, the person must register on a waiting list, upon indication of the endocrinologist, which, in Brazil, takes between 2 and 3 years.
In the case of pancreas transplantation, surgery is performed to remove the donor pancreas after brain death and implant it in the person who needs it, in an area near the bladder, without removing the deficient pancreas.
After the procedure, the person can recover in the intensive care unit for 1 to 2 days, then remain hospitalized for about 10 days to evaluate the body’s reaction, with tests, and to prevent possible transplant complications, such as infection, bleeding and rejection of the pancreas.
During recovery, you may need to follow some recommendations such as
Although they can cause some side effects, such as nausea, discomfort and an increased risk of infection, these medications are extremely necessary because rejection of a transplanted organ can be fatal.
In about 1 to 2 months, the person may gradually return to a normal life, as directed by the doctor. After recovery, it is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, with a balanced diet and physical activity, because it is very important to maintain good health for the proper functioning of the pancreas, in addition to preventing new diseases and even new diabetes.
While surgery has an excellent result in most cases, there is a risk of complications from pancreas transplantation, such as pancreatitis, infection, bleeding, or rejection of the pancreas, for example.
However, these risks are reduced by following the guidelines of the endocrinologist and surgeon, before and after surgery, with the proper use of tests and the correct use of medications.