Abstract
According to the International Pancreas Transplant Registry (ITPR), more than 10, 000 cases of pancreas allotransplant were performed. In the era of 1994-97, patient and pancreas survival rates at one year were 94% and 83%, respectively, almost compatible with those in kidney, lung, and heart transplantation. From 1984 to 1993, 11 cases of simultaneous pancreas kidney transplantation and 4 cases of pancreas after kidney transplantation were performed in Japan.
Islet transplantation has been considered as rational and safe method for treating diabetes mellitus. By the year 1995, 305 adult islet allotransplants were reported to International Islet Transplant Registry, and showed 95% of patients and 27% of islet survival with 7% of insulin independent cases, even though they have significant improvement by each year.
We have been concentrating to establish domestic pancreas and islet transplantation system which can support nationwide pancreas and islet procurement.
