Pancreas transplantation in type 1 diabetes: Hope vs reality
James T. Mayes, MD
Department of General Surgery, Cleveland Clinic
Vincent W. Dennis, MD
Chairman, Hypertension and Nephrology, Cleveland Clinic
Byron J. Hoogwerf, MD
Transplantation Center and Department of Endocrinology, Cleveland Clinic
Address: James T. Mayes, MD, Department of General Surgery, A110, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195; mayesj@ccf.org
ABSTRACT
Pancreas transplantation can improve quality of life for patients with type 1 diabetes by eliminating hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes, the need for insulin injections, frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose levels, and dietary restrictions. Increasing evidence suggests that it may slow the progression of long-term diabetic complications. On the other hand, patients risk the adverse effects of lifelong immunosuppression.