Understanding Kidney Pancreas Transplant Surgical Process

One extremely serious surgical procedure involves knocking two major problems out with one surgery: kidney failure and diabetes.  Those patients currently experiencing effects of Type 1 diabetes who are insulin-dependent are sufficient candidates for this procedure; by replacing both organs which make and filter proper levels of naturally induced insulin, diabetics are healed of their diseases and kidney failures are fixed through new kidneys. The kidney pancreas transplant process is actually quite interesting and takes roughly 4-6 hours from start to finish, depending on how well the body reacts to these newer organs.  Here’s how patients of Dallas Nephrology Associates could expect the process to work.

The Pre-Op Process
Once you’ve been identified successfully as the candidate for kidney pancreas transplant surgery, you’ll undergo forms signings and other explanatory sessions so you’ll know what’s happening while you’re asleep.  You may also need to take certain medications as prescribed by your doctor to ease the anesthetics given to you for sedation.  After final cost arrangements have been made, including the expected out-of-pocket costs and insurance coverage, you’ll be scheduled for the procedure probably within the month or sooner, depending on your current medical situation and determined by Dallas Nephrology Associates surgeon assigned to your operation.

The Kidney Pancreas Transplant Procedure
After sedation, your new pancreas is placed in your lower abdominal area on the right side; your new kidney will be placed on the left.  Vessels which connect your pancreas to lower abdominal blood flow lines, also called iliac veins, are reconnected to your new pancreas and attached to your intestines or bladder, depending on what medically makes sense.  Kidney is then attached to left iliac vessels and your ureter is reattached to your bladder.  In most normal kidney pancreas transplants, your old organs are unaffected and therefore not removed since all vessels and arteries were rerouted.

Aftercare
Once your kidney pancreas transplant has been deemed successful, your pancreas will begin insulin making processes within an hour or less; new kidney will react to this by correctly filtering the insulin where it goes.  Expect to stay at Dallas Nephrology Center for roughly 2-4 weeks following this procedure to assure the organs correctly work and no side effects are occurring.  If everything worked according to surgeon’s plan, the need for taking shots of insulin will subside, and your diabetic condition should slowly begin disappearing.

Please note that not everyone will become suitable candidates for kidney pancreas transplant surgery, and all patients are screened professionally before determining the proper course of action for both Type 1 diabetes and kidney failure.  Consultations with Dallas Nephrology Associates physicians are imminent before any life-changing surgical decisions are made.