Pancreas Transplantation from Pediatric Donors: A Single-Center Experience

Background Pancreas allografts from pediatric donors are considered less suitable due to the increased risk of surgical complications and reduced islet cell mass that may compromise function. Methods All pancreatic transplants, procured from donors younger than 18 years, between January 2007 and March 2017, were included in the analysis. The grafts were subdivided into 3 groups by donor's weight: less than 30 kg, 30 to 60 kg, greater than 60 kg. Analysis of patient and graft survival was done between the groups, and subsequently between the pediatric cohort and the adult-donor control group. Results Sixty-three pediatric-donor pancreas transplants were performed. The mean donor age and weight were of 12.10 ± 4.13 years and 47.8 ± 21.3 kg. Excellent metabolic control was achieved in 59 (93.65%) patients at the time of discharge and at a mean 5 year follow up, with the average hemoglobin A1c of 5.30 ± 0.61% and blood glucose level of 102.75 ± 20.70 mg/dL in those with a functioning graft. Nine graft losses were registered, of which one (1.6%) was due to arterial thrombosis. Eight (12.7%) patients experienced rejection. Overall graft survival and patient survival were of 85.7% and 92.1%, respectively, at a median follow-up of 37.07 months (minimum, 0.19 to maximum, 119.57). No differences among the 3 groups were identified. Long-term patient and allograft survival was comparable to that of the adult-donor pancreatic transplants. Conclusions Pediatric-donor pancreas demonstrated excellent short-term outcomes with no surgical complications and promising long-term outcomes despite the smaller islet mass. Pancreata from pediatric donors should not be marginalized and can offset worsening organ shortage.