Pancreas-after-kidney versus synchronous pancreas-kidney transplantation: comparison of intermediate-term results

Controversy persists over the safety and efficacy of pancreas transplantation in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who have received a prior kidney transplant. We compared the outcomes of recipients who received either Synchronous-Pancreas Kidney-Transplantation (SPK, n=123) or Pancreas-After-Kidney-Transplants(n=49)at our institution between August 2002 to January 2010. Donor and recipient demographics were similar. Time interval between kidney and pancreas transplantation was 5.9 ± 3.8 (4.8 [1.6-12.2]) years. The majority of kidney-recipients in PAK group were transplanted at outside institutions and referred to us for PAK. Most patients received thymoglobulin induction and were maintained on tacrolimus, MMF, and prednisone. For SPK versus PAK recipients, there was no difference in median of length of hospital stay or incidence of overall complications. All PAK recipients are alive with functioning kidney grafts, whereas the 1-, 3-, and 5-year SPK patient survival rates were 98%,96%,and 94%, P=0.09. The 1-,3-, and 5-yr uncensored pancreas survival rates for SPK versus PAK were 93% vs. 90%, 90% vs. 90%, and 82% versus 85%, respectively (P=0.4). Glycemic control and intermediate survival outcomes were similar in both groups. Pancreas-graft outcomes in SPK and PAK were equivalent in our study, but our specific population entailed among other factors a long K to PAK time interval; PAK could be a comparable option to SPK for patients with access to kidney grafts.