ABSTRACT
The lower age limit for pancreas donors is not well defined. Fear of inadequate islet beta-cell mass and of technical complications has hampered the use of pediatric donors. A surgical technique of 'en bloc' kidney-pancreas is described. Both kidneys and pancreas were removed en bloc from a 13-kg, 31-month-old child. During bench preparation, one anastomosis was performed between the portal vein and the inferior vena cava. The proximal end of the aorta was closed. The bloc was transplanted into a 36-year-old type I diabetic patient intraperitoneally in the right iliac fossa. The kidneys functioned immediately. Pancreatic graft function resumed after POD 15 but insulin therapy was maintained until POD 112. Currently, the patient retains excellent kidney and pancreas graft functions. Very young donors can be accepted as pancreas donors for adult recipients, although slow recovery of pancreatic function can be expected. Use of the en bloc technique is well suited for very small children, as it prevents potential vascular complications.
