Pancreas Transplant for Combined Pancreatic Endocrine and Exocrine Insufficiency

Abstract

Purpose of Review: To highlight the role of pancreas transplantation in pancreatogenic diabetes and to familiarize the reader with disease processes that can result in both problematic diabetes and exocrine insufficiency that even when maximally medically managed, can adversely impact quality of life and increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. Recent Findings: Successful simultaneous lung/liver/pancreas transplant and the first sequential simultaneous kidney pancreas transplant after lung transplant for cystic fibrosis have recently been reported, spurring renewed interest for the application of pancreas transplantation for type 3c diabetes. Summary: Given the known post-transplant risks of diabetes and calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, more awareness of the utility and outcomes of pancreas transplantation for pancreatogenic diabetes is needed.