Pancreas Transplant

Utah's premier pancreas transplant program - Intermountain Pancreas Transplant at Intermountain Medical Center - was the first pancreas transplant program in the Western U.S. We began pancreas transplantation in 1986 at LDS Hospital; since 1986, approximately 265 transplants have been performed. Intermountain Medical Center averages 20-25 transplants per year with 92 percent graft survival and 100 percent patient survival at one year.

Pancreas transplants are performed for patients with Type I diabetes. The benefits of pancreas transplantation include the elimination of severe blood sugar fluctuations, improved quality of life, normal diet, and increased activity level.

• Patient Stories

In addition, diabetic complications such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy and eye disease may be prevented or improved.

Depending upon individual patient circumstances, the pancreas is transplanted alone, with a kidney or after a previous kidney transplant. The transplant team will help you determine the best option with consideration for: dialysis needs, availability of a potential living donors, your general health, ability to undergo extensive surgery necessary for a combined procedure, blood type, and expected waiting time.

Referral Process:

• Physician referral obtained
• Transplant office will contact the patient to schedule a consultation with the team
• Recipient case reviewed with selection committee
• A transplant coordinator (staff) is always available for questions, regardless of referral
• A transplant physician is available to speak with referring physicians. The transplant staff will help make the connection between patient and physician
• Transplant Assistant/Coordinator will schedule pre transplant evaluation for the patient
• Multidisciplinary meeting to review evaluation findings
• Patient listed or scheduled for transplant