Pancreas Retransplant After Pancreas Graft Failure in Simultaneous Pancreas-kidney Transplants Is Associated With Better Kidney Graft Survival.

BACKGROUND

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplant is usually the best option for the diabetic end-stage renal disease patient. There is limited information about kidney graft outcomes in SPK recipients with isolated pancreas graft failure who do versus do not undergo pancreas retransplantation.

METHODS

Patients were divided into 2 groups based on whether they underwent pancreas retransplant (ReTx) or not (ReTx). Kidney graft function and survival were the primary endpoints.

RESULTS

One hundred and nine patients satisfied our selection criteria, 25 in ReTx and 84 in ReTx. Mean interval from SPK to pancreas failure was significantly shorter in the ReTx compared with the ReTx group, 19.3 ± 36.7 versus 45.7 ± 47.0 months ( = 0.01), respectively. There was no significant difference in kidney graft follow-up post SPK between 2 groups ( = 0.48). At last follow-up, 15 of the 25 (60%) of the repeat pancreas graft had failed, with a mean graft survival among these failed pancreas graft of 2.6 ± 2.7 years, ranging from 0 to 8.1 years. Uncensored kidney graft failure was significantly lower in the ReTx group compared with the ReTx group, 44% versus 67% ( = 0.04). Death-censored kidney graft failure was also lower in the ReTx group, 24% versus 48% ( = 0.04). The difference in patient survival did not reach statistical significance. In adjusted Cox regression analysis, rejection as a cause of pancreas failure was associated with increased risk of death-censored kidney graft failure, and pancreas retransplantation was associated with decreased risk of kidney graft failure. A similar pattern was seen after 1:1 matching for the interval between SPK and pancreas graft failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though ReTx patients accept the risks associated with repeat pancreas surgery, providers should consider this option in suitable otherwise healthy patients.