BWH Adds Pancreas Transplant Service
BWH is adding to its rich array of transplant services. In May, the hospital received final approval for comprehensive pancreas evaluation and transplant service from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. BWH had received approval from the United Network for Organ Sharing earlier this year.
Candidates for pancreas transplant surgery have severe diabetes, often Type I diabetes mostly associated with chronic kidney failure. For patients whose conditions have not been helped by currently available medical therapies, a pancreas transplant or a combined pancreas-kidney transplant can be effective treatment options. Pancreas transplant recipients may achieve freedom from external insulin support while some of the diabetes associated complications may improve.
“This is an exciting time to add to our transplant capabilities,” said Stefan G. Tullius, MD, PhD, chief of the Transplant Surgery Division at BWH.