Selection Criteria

Transplantation of insulin producing tissue for the achievement of insulin independence is now feasible in humans by means of pancreas transplantation. In patients who are candidates for a major surgical intervention, such as kidney transplantation, and immunosuppression, the addition of a pancreas graft appears to be a logical attempt to treat diabetes and renal failure at the same time. If simultaneous pancreas/kidney transplant is carried out in the diabetes patient, no renal lesions of diabetes are seen after several years in successful grafts. Patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, who are developing significant complications of their diabetes which have not responded to medical therapy, may also be candidates for pancreas transplantation.

Patient selection

Age-> 20 -- > 60 y/o.
* Physiological age = chronological age + duration of diabetes (years).

Documentation of insulin dependent diabetes with the onset of end stage renal disease, or the prediction that dialysis will be required within 6 months to 1 year from time of evaluation.


Absence of irreversible cardiovascular disease.


Absence of advanced untreatable peripheral vascular disease.


Absence of history of stroke with significant sequelae or unresolved TIA.


Absence of malignancy.


Absence of psychosis.


Absence of severe incapacitating peripheral neuropathy.


Absence of documented history of non-compliance.


Ability to comprehend and agree to the post transplant protocol.