Experience from 100 consecutive pancreas transplants amidst low national transplant activity: a retrospective study at a single center in Korea.

Background: Since 1992, over 800 pancreas transplants have been performed in Korea. However, this number is significantly lower compared to the number of kidney or liver transplants.

Methods: Between 2015 and July 2023, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital conducted 100 pancreas transplants, accounting for about 20% of all transplants performed in Korea during this period. The study comprised 27 simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplants, 23 pancreas after kidney (PAK) transplants, and 50 pancreas transplant alone (PTA) cases. Duodenoduodenostomy was the primary surgical technique employed for exocrine drainage, along with various modifications of the venous outflow anastomosis.

Results: The availability of brain-dead donors for kidney transplants was lower compared to isolated pancreas transplants. Patients undergoing SPK transplants faced significantly longer waiting times than those receiving PTA or PAK transplants. The rate of surgical complications was acceptable, with a notably low thrombotic graft failure rate of 1.0%. In the PTA group, acute rejection of the graft pancreas occurred frequently (18.0%), though this was not statistically significant (P=0.328). The pancreas transplantation survival rates were 91.0%, 78.5%, and 75.4% at 1, 5, and 9 years, respectively. The PTA group exhibited a lower graft survival rate than the SPK and PAK groups, with marginal statistical significance (P=0.059).

Conclusions: Graft survival rates have improved over time due to advancements in surgical techniques and immunosuppressant strategies. By sharing our experiences, we aim to enhance the activity and success of pancreas transplantation in Korea.