About This Program
The Simultaneous Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program is a specialty program within the Abdominal Transplant Center, is a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin.
The Simultaneous Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program provides comprehensive care for adult patients (18 years and older) with end-stage renal disease related to type 1 diabetes. We work with you to develop a treatment plan specific to your needs, using a combination of specialized procedures and medications to prevent organ rejection. Our goal is to increase your quality and longevity of life.
Treatment Approach
Simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantation can render a patient free of both diabetes and kidney failure in a single operation as well as prevent further diabetic complications. A simultaneous transplant often functions better than a kidney transplant alone because the new pancreas protects the transplanted kidney from the harmful effects of diabetes, allowing the new kidney to perform better and longer. In many cases, both transplanted organs come from one deceased donor. However, it is also possible for the kidney to come from a living donor at a different operation, while the pancreas comes from a deceased, or brain-dead, donor.
After your transplant, you (and, if living, your donor) will receive ongoing care to minimize any potential complications and to help you fully recover. The Simultaneous Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program care team works closely with you before, during, and after your transplant to ensure favorable outcomes.
Patients are cared for by a dedicated multidisciplinary care team, meaning you will benefit from the expertise of multiple specialists across a variety of disciplines. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained transplant surgeons have extensive experience in organ transplantation as well as the ongoing care for donors and work alongside a team of transplant experts, including transplant nephrologists, transplant coordinators, nurses, advanced practice providers, social workers, dietitians, pharmacists, and more, providing unparalleled care for patients every step of the way.
Appointment Information
To be considered for a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant, you must first undergo a thorough medical evaluation, which can take up to several months to complete and may involve a variety of tests, including advanced imaging, chest x-rays, consultations, an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) test, laboratory testing, physical exams, stress tests, and more. These test results allow the Simultaneous Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program care team to determine your candidacy for receiving a transplant. Upon completion of testing, all results will be reviewed with you.
For more information about the Simultaneous Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program, please call 1-512-324-7930. You can also fax referrals to 1-833-340-0748.