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Pre-transplant stage

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Assessment

Before a pancreas transplant is performed, a complete study of the recipient’s state of health is required. The patient must have the appropriate physical and emotional conditions to be able to overcome the transplant surgery and its treatment.

Phases in the patient assessment process

Phase 1: A preliminary clinical evaluation is made based on the patient's medical history.

Phase 2: Different analytical, radiological and other types of medical studies are performed. Different visits are also made to specialists in nephrology, endocrinology, surgery, urology, neurology, anaesthesia, psychology and nutrition. Depending on the results of the medical tests, other specialities such as cardiology and vascular surgery may also be included. Vaccination status is also reviewed.

Phase 3: Once all the tests have been carried out, the patient appears at a clinical session in the Pancreas Transplant Commission, made up of several specialities. If the requirements are met, a joint decision is made to add the patient to the pancreas transplant waiting list.

Waiting list

The kidney-pancreas transplant waiting list is an official document centralised at the OCATT (Catalan Transplant Office).

When a viable pancreas or pancreas/kidney is available, the duty doctors at the renopancreatic transplant team and the operation surgeons are notified. The candidate is selected according to different (immunological and clinical) criteria.

The patient must go quickly to the hospital. A clinical assessment, a preoperative study and immunological tests are performed. If everything is acceptable, the candidate’s operation is confirmed at the operating theatre.

Lifestyle before a transplant

Before a kidney-pancreas transplant, the patient must follow the instructions from the nephrologist and endocrinologist. They have to take the prescribed medication properly and have the best possible control of glucose levels and their weight, avoiding obesity. Before a kidney-pancreas transplant, the patient must follow the instructions from the nephrologist and endocrinologist. They have to take the prescribed medication properly and have the best possible control of glucose levels and their weight, avoiding obesity.