Korean J Med.
2011 Feb;80(2):164-166.
Progress in Pancreas Transplantation in Korea
- Affiliations
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- 1Institute for Digestive Research and Digestive Disease Center, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- Pancreas transplantation is the most effective cure for type I diabetes because it is able to restore normal glucose homeostasis. Over the last 2 decades, improvements in immunosuppressive therapy have been paralleled by a marked decrease in surgical complications, by superior antimicrobial prophylaxis and therapy, and by better techniques for diagnosing and treating pancreas graft rejection. The result has been a steady increase in the number of pancreas transplants. However, differently from heart, lung and liver transplantation, pancreas transplantation cannot be considered a life-saving procedure and the advantages in the long term should be carefully considered and balanced with the morbidity and mortality associated to the surgical procedure and the side-effect of immunosuppression.
