Pancreatic Transplantation PDF

Preface

This book started out as a companion to a textbook on renal transplantation that we published in 1997. At the time that we began this project in 1998, there had not been a textbook on pancreatic transplantation since Carl Groth's book, which had been published in 1988, and the field had clearly advanced to the point where an updated text was needed. Professor Groth and his group in Stockholm, while kind enough to contribute three chapters to this book, had made it clear that they would not be writing a second edition. Thus, we began the long process of a new book on pancreatic transplantation. The path took a sad and unexpected twist with the premature passing of the lead editor, Dr. Robert J. Corry, in February 2002. At the time, the book was over 60% complete, and we elected to finish the book, keeping Dr. Corry as the senior editor and dedicating it to his memory.

The book, while not divided into specific sections, is clearly composed of many parts. The introductory chapters discuss the short-time outcomes, long-term outcomes, and the history of pancreatic transplantation. The main body of the book goes on to describe specific topics in clinical pancreas transplantation, including recipient evaluation, donor selection and organ recovery, anesthetic aspects, technical aspects, issues in patient management and immunosuppression after transplantation, pathologic and radiologic features, a number of chapters on complications after pancreatic transplantation, and additional topics on islets, pregnancy, and transplant coordination. The final part of the book comprises a number of single center chapters from many of the major programs in the United States and Europe. The result is a true multi-authored text, with a number of different points of view described. This is appropriate, for while pancreatic transplantation has matured into a worthwhile therapeutic endeavor, it is still early enough in its development that there are a number of divergent approaches regarding both the technical aspects and immunosuppressive management after transplantation. It is thus our hope that this book will serve not to define the one and only true approach to pancreatic transplantation, but to describe the ongoing variation in clinical practice today.

This book has been a long time in coming. We hope you enjoy it.