Eligibility Criteria
Patients who are eligible for a pancreas transplant must meet certain criteria, including:
Age: Patients must be between the ages of 18 and 65 to be eligible for a pancreas transplant.
Health: The patient must have a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes that is not well-controlled despite optimal medical treatment. The patient must also be determined to be in good overall health, free from chronic infections and other medical conditions that could interfere with the transplant.
Psychological Evaluation: The patient must be evaluated by a mental health professional to determine that they are psychologically and emotionally prepared for the transplant.
Compliance: Patients must demonstrate that they are willing and able to comply with all post-transplant medical requirements, which include taking immunosuppressant medications and having regular follow-up appointments with their healthcare team.
Living Donor
In some cases, a living donor may be used for a pancreas transplant. A living donor is someone who is willing to donate a healthy pancreas from one of their own organs. To be a living donor, the person must meet certain criteria, including:
Age: The living donor must be between the ages of 18 and 55.
Health: The living donor must be in good overall health with no chronic conditions or infections.
Psychological Evaluation: The living donor must undergo a psychological evaluation to determine that they are emotionally and mentally prepared to donate an organ.
Conclusion
A pancreas transplant can be a life-saving treatment for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who are unable to control their blood sugar levels with medical treatment. To be eligible for a pancreas transplant, patients must meet certain criteria, including age, health, psychological evaluation, and compliance. In some cases, a living donor may be used as well.