University Hospitals Transplant Team Advances Post-Transplant Patient Care

University Hospitals Transplant Institute’s Pancreas Transplant Program has a comprehensive multidisciplinary team to manage all parts of medical care for the patient before, during and after transplant. The goal of pancreas transplant is to give patients the chance to live longer, healthier lives with improved quality of life.

Post-Transplant Care at UH

Patients must continue to see their transplant team, including surgeons, physicians, transplant coordinator and multidisciplinary team members frequently to make sure their body is not rejecting the pancreas. To ensure that the patient’s pancreas is functioning properly frequent visits and labs will be needed. The patient and the multidisciplinary team have a life-long commitment to keeping the patient’s organ functioning.

At the post-transplant visits, the specialized team will:

• Assess the physical condition and recent lab work
• Examine surgical incisions for healing or infection
• Measure new pancreas function
• Discuss potential medication issues
• Meet with both patient and family to have an open discussion regarding care

Because a pancreas transplant is intended to last for many years, receiving the best continued medical care at UH is vital to prevent any problems and keep the patient healthy.

Individualizing Anti-Rejection Drugs

During post-transplant, patients will receive medications to inhibit the immune system from rejecting the new pancreas.

Patients are required to take anti-rejection (immunosuppressive) drugs for the rest of their lives. These drugs prevent the body from rejecting the newly transplanted pancreas. The transplant physician tailors medications to meet the needs of each individual patient.