Pancreas Re-Transplantation Graft Survival is Comparable to Primary Pancreas After Kidney Transplantation

Reports on the outcomes of pancreas re-transplantation are scarce in the modern era. We compared the outcome of pancreas re-transplantation with primary pancreas after kidney (PAK) transplantation at a high volume North American center. Retrospective analysis of 70 consecutive pancreas only transplants performed at a North American center from 2003 to May 2012. Primary pancreas after kidney transplants (PAK; n=56) were compared to pancreas re-transplantation (PRT) after pancreas graft loss (n=14). Patient and graft survival were assessed at 1 and 3 year follow-up. Pancreas graft function was determined by HbA1c. Serum creatinine was used to determine kidney graft function. Graft survival, and patient survival were calculated by log rank analysis. In conclusion, pancreas re-transplantation is safe and effective regardless of the cause of prior graft loss and has comparable outcomes to primary pancreas after kidney transplantation.