Survival rates for a pancreas transplant have increased significantly due to improved surgical techniques and better immunosuppressant drugs. Doctors can transplant an entire pancreas or a segment of the pancreas. Segmental pancreas transplants are performed on a limited basis when there is a living pancreas donor. However, transplant surgeons at Albert Einstein Medical Center only perform cadaveric pancreas transplants. Cadaveric donors are those who have passed away.

Undergoing a pancreas transplant is major surgery involving a large open incision. It is intra-abdominal surgery which means the surgeon has to go deep into the abdomen in order to access the pancreas. Transplant surgeons at Einstein Medical Center can perform pancreas transplants alone or with a kidney transplant.

Pancreas transplants are typically performed to improve quality of life, rather than to save a life. A transplant frees a patient from dialysis or insulin. It may seem like a pancreas transplant is a quick and easy solution to treat diabetes, but it is not.