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Pancreas Transplant Can Improve Quality of Life for Type 1 Diabetes Patients


"The key is to have them evaluated for a transplant, and get the disease process arrested before they experience end organ damage," says Alexander Maskin, MD, assistant professor of surgery and transplant surgeon at Nebraska Medicine.

"If they receive a pancreas transplant early on, we can prevent or mitigate other complications from occurring such as diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy," he says.

Alex Maskin, MD
Alex Maskin, MD

Patients with difficult-to-manage Type 1 diabetes typically experience frequent swings in blood glucose levels, which can be difficult to control with some insulin regimens. Even worse, they can develop hypoglycemic unawareness in which their glucose levels drop so low that they can become unconscious. "This can be a life-threatening problem that can result in frequent emergency room visits and hospital admissions" says Dr. Maskin.


The good news is that both pancreas and pancreas/kidney transplants are highly successful and curative. "Patients have better quality of life, don't have to administer daily insulin injections, can eliminate most dietary and activity restrictions and no longer live in fear of having a seizure or episodes of unconsciousness," says Dr. Maskin. "In addition, a functioning pancreas transplant can provide a level of protection for the kidneys and other organs affected by diabetic changes."



"We are committed to our patients," says Dr. Maskin. "We follow our patients for life and are actively involved in their care."
