Pancreas Transplant

The UI Health Transplant Program is a national leader in pancreas and simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantation. Our program is committed to improving the lives of patients requiring transplantation due to complications from diabetes. In 2023, our transplant program performed the most simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplants in the United States.

Experts In Combined Kidney-Pancreas Transplant

Arlys Martinez had type 1 diabetes, which eventually led to kidney failure. She was on dialysis and needed a transplant, but she was ineligible for transplant at other centers. At UI Health, she was able to get a combined pancreas-kidney transplant via robotic surgery that cured her diabetes and helped her stop dialysis treatments.


UI Health Now the Largest Simultaneous Kidney Pancreas Transplant Program in the U.S.

The University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics performed the most simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplants in the United States in 2023, according to data from the Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network (OTPN), a national organ donation and transplantation database. UI Health’s transplant volumes reflect our program’s expertise and dedication to providing exceptional care and making a substantial impact in organ transplantation. Our comprehensive program caters to a diverse range of patients needing kidney and pancreas transplants, including patients with body mass indices at or above 30 (indicative of obesity) who may be denied surgery at other centers.


Islet Cell Transplantation

The UI Health Islet Cell Transplantation Program can offer hope to those with Type 1 Diabetes by transplanting insulin-producing donor islet beta cells. We can isolate these cells from donors and infuse them into patients, potentially curing diabetes if the cells are accepted. Our program has conducted over 250 islet isolations for transplantation and research.

UI Health is a federally funded islet cell resource center and supports global researchers with islet preparation.

If you think you are a candidate for Islet Cell Transplantation, click here to fill out the interest form.


Pancreas Transplant Options

The pancreas is an organ that lies below the stomach and above the intestines. One of the pancreas's main functions is to produce insulin, the hormone that regulates sugar absorption. When the pancreas does not create enough insulin, blood sugar levels can rise to unhealthy levels, causing diabetes.

For those with Type 1 diabetes, this lack of insulin production is caused by autoimmunity and is commonly diagnosed early in life or early adulthood. Type 2 diabetes is due to the lower production of insulin. Factors that can contribute to T2DM include lifestyle behaviors and genes.

Pancreas transplantation is done to help restore normal insulin production and improve blood sugar control in individuals with diabetes. Pancreas transplants also can be combined with a kidney transplant for individuals with damaged kidneys or kidney failure because of diabetes.

Am I a Candidate for Solitary Pancreas Transplantation?

Pancreas transplant may be an option for type 1 diabetic patients with the following conditions:

  • Frequent episodes of severely low blood sugar may be life-threatening and difficult to control despite insulin therapy.
  • Poor quality of life due to frequent hospitalizations due to complications of diabetes.
  • Complications from diabetes such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and hypoglycemia unawareness.
  • Adequate caregiver support after the transplant, including transportation to and from frequent follow-up appointments.
  • Ability to provide long-term financial coverage for transplant and post-transplant medication management.

What are the other options for pancreas transplantation?

UI Health provides several pancreas transplantation options. We specialize in minimally invasive robotic surgery for superior outcomes and faster recovery. With robotic surgery, we also can provide pancreas transplantation for overweight patients who may be ineligible for transplant at other centers. Click here to learn more about pancreas transplant options.