Short description:

Although pancreas transplants have been performed for more than 30 years, the last few years have witnessed significant growth in the options available for pancreas transplantation as well as substantial improvements in outcome. It is therefore appropriate that a new text summarizes the recent advances and puts forth the standard of future care. Transplantation of the Pancreas fulfills this mission by providing a state-of-the-art, definitive reference work on pancreas transplantation for transplant surgeons and physicians as well as for endocrinologists, diabetologists, nephrologists, and neurologists. The editors, from the renowned University of Minnesota Transplant Division and the Diabetes Institute, have assembled a group of renowned experts to provide an all-inclusive overview of pancreas transplantation.

Long description:

Although pancreas transplants have been performed for more than 30 years, the last few years have witnessed significant growth in the options available for pancreas transplantation. Transplantation of the Pancreas, edited by Drs. Gruessner and Sutherland provides a state-of-the-art, definitive reference work on pancreas transplantation for transplant surgeons and physicians as well as for endocrinologists, diabetologists, nephrologists, and neurologists. The editors, from the renowned University of Minnesota Transplant Division and the Diabetes Institute, have assembled a group of renowned experts to provide an all-inclusive overview of pancreas transplantation. The text features insights on the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus and the limitations of nontransplant treatments, highlights experimental research and clinical history of pancreas transplantation, and compares and contrasts different surgical procedures. The discussions detail the broad spectrum of post-transplant complications and their treatments, which frequently require skills in general, vascular, and laparoscopic surgery; interventional radiology; critical care; and infectious disease. Chapters on pretransplant evaluation, immunosuppression, immunology, pathology, long-term outcome, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness focus on issues unique to pancreas recipients. Evolving areas, such as pretransplant evaluation of pancreas transplant candidates, living donation, and the current status of islet transplantation are discussed. Augmented by more than 280 illustrations, including full color line drawings created exclusively for the text, this book is the standard reference for all transplant professionals as well as for all physicians caring for the transplant patient.

From the reviews:

"A complete reference textbook in the field of pancreatic transplantation. Its excellent chapters consist of discussions of historical considerations, the pathogenesis of diabetes, and the immunology and treatment of rejection. ? with excellent color illustrations of operative techniques. ? This textbook will make possible one-stop shopping for surgical and medical transplantation fellows entering the field of pancreas transplantation. It will also serve as a reference for specialists already active in the area, as well as for physicians ? ." (Michael E. Shapiro, The New England Journal of Medicine, October, 2005)

"This outstanding book details all the fields that play a crucial role in the success of transplantation of insulin-producing tissue. All the parts are exhaustively treated and illustrated. It represents a useful and practical instrument in helping to solve the everyday problems of medical practice related to diabetic and transplanted patients. This book should be present in the library of all those involved in islet and pancreas transplantation in diabetic patients." (V. Di Carlo, Digestive and Liver Disease, Vol. 37, 2005)

Table of Contents:

1 Diabetes Mellitus: Classification and Epidemiology.- 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Pathogenesis and Natural History.- 3 Limitations of Nontransplant Treatment Options for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.- 4 History of Pancreas Transplantation.- 5 Experimental Pancreas Transplantation.- 6 Pancreas and Islet Transplant Population.- 7 Pretransplant Evaluation and Cardiac Risk Assessment.- 8 Surgical Aspects of Pancreas Transplantation.- 9 Postoperative Management.- 10 Immunosuppression in Pancreas Transplantation.- 11 Immunobiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Pancreas Graft Rejection.- 12 Pancreas Graft Pathology.- 13 Immunology in Pancreas Transplantation.- 14 Living Donor Pancreas Transplantation.- 15 Endocrine Function and Metabolic Outcomes in Pancreas and Islet Transplantation.- 16 Effects of Pancreas Transplantation on Secondary Complications of Diabetes.- 17 Quality of Life for Pancreas Recipients.- 18 Long-Term Pancreas Graft Function.- 19 Economic Issues in Pancreas Transplantation.- 20 International Pancreas Transplant Registry.- 21 Islet Transplantation.- 22 Treatment of Pancreatic Exocrine Disorders by Pancreas and Islet Transplantation.