• Question: If you had diabetes, is it possible to have a pancreas transplant?

    Asked by ChellPortal to Theresia, Katie, Giovanna, Duane, Andy on 11 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Duane Mellor

      Duane Mellor answered on 11 Nov 2014:

      Yes, this has been done normally at the same time as a kidney transplant in people with type 1 diabetes. The problem is the digestive enzymes need to escape (you cannot put it in the place of the old pancreas). So you would put it near the kidneys and allow the enzymes to escape into the bladder. It does not quite work the same as a healthy pancreas, but this operation has helped many people.

    • Photo: Andrew Philp

      Andrew Philp answered on 11 Nov 2014:

      Great question and an equally good answer from Duane….

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