University of Virginia Health System

Pancreas Transplantation

After the Transplant

Hospitalization

Receiving a pancreas transplant is a life-altering operation with potentially great benefits. Receiving a transplant also means a lifetime of medication, frequent follow-up with a local endocrinologist and ongoing monitoring by nurse coordinators, transplant surgeons, and endocrinologists at UVAa. The benefits are potentially great; the requirement for ongoing care are significant. A new life with a transplanted organ begins in the hopital, right after the transplant operation.

Patients admitted for transplant are provided with semi-private or a private room accommodation on one of two UVa inpatient nursing units. Nurses on these units specialize in the care of transplant recipients and are assisted by a complete team of health care professionals: nutritionists, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, as well as resident and attending physicians.

For deceased donor transplants the stay can be as short as three or four nights or may be extended as needed.

During the inpatient stay, recipients receive careful monitoring of blood pressure, urinary output and blood chemistries. Special diagnostic testing may be used to check on the pancreas' function which may include a nuclear medicine scan called a Mag-3 Scan, an ultrasound , a CT scan. If there is further question about the transplanted pancreas' function, a pancreas biopsy may be done to look more closely at the individual cells of the transplanted organ. In addition, the inpatient will also receive extensive training on self-care at home and the drugs used to protect the transplanted organ from rejection (called immunosuppressants). The main three immunosuppressant drugs used are CellCept®, Prograf®, and prednisone.

After Discharge

Following discharge, patients check their own vital signs daily (tempreature, weight, blood pressure and pulse) and take medications as prescribed. Recipients also complete routine lab tests regularly (at a laboratory that is convenient to home) according to a regular schedule set by the transplant nurse coordinator. In general the schedule is as follows: 

• from 0-3 months, twice per week
• from 4-6 months, once per week
• from 6-9 months, once every two weeks
• monthly thereafter

The laboratory will fax the results of laboratory tests to the UVa Transplant department and are reviewed by nurses and physicians. Medication dosages or other treatments may be changed in response to these test results in order to protect both the patient and the newly transplanted organ.

Routine Follow Up

Follow-up appointments will be scheduled in the transplant clinic on a routine basis immediately post-transplant. Once things have stabilized, patients will be seen on a semi-annual or annual basis, (as recommended by the transplant physicians and nurse coordinators) or more frequently as needed.

In fact, the patient now holds the key to success. Faithful adherence to medications and to submission of lab results together with annual reviews at our clinic give the greatest level of assurance that the transplanted pancreas will continue to keep the door open to a healthy and vigorous new lifestyle.