Morbidity associated with transplant pancreatectomy in recipients of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants

The postoperative course of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients who underwent transplant pancreatectomy was reviewed. Transplant pancreatectomy was performed in 12% of patients, 75% of whom developed postoperative complications. The most frequently observed complications were abscess formation, renal graft thrombosis, and iliofemoral venous thrombosis. The only demonstrable risk factor for postoperative morbidity was pre-existing intraperitoneal sepsis. Although renal graft survival was significantly lower in the transplant pancreatectomy group, patient survival was not affected.