The University of Wisconsin experience in pancreas transplantation.

This paper describes the Madison experience in pancreas transplantation. With the use of pancreaticocystostomy, overall mortality could be decreased to a level similar to the results reported for kidney transplantation in diabetic patients. Particularly encouraging are the results obtained in combined kidney and pancreas transplantation, with current actuarial graft survival rates for kidneys of 95% and pancreatic grafts of 85%. Overall, the quality of life for patients receiving a pancreatic transplant has been good, and in cases where no postoperative complications were encountered, a tremendous feeling of well-being from a physiological and psychological standpoint was achieved. It is our conclusion that pancreatic transplantation should be pursued as a viable form of therapy in selected patients and centers with large experience in the transplantation of diabetic patients.