Urological complications of pancreatic transplantation

Purpose: Pancreas transplantation is increasingly being used in the treatment of type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Because bladder drainage of the exocrine pancreatic secretion is the procedure of choice, urological complications are frequent. As the number of these procedures increases the urologist will have an extended role in the management of the postoperative complications, the majority of which are urological. Materials and Methods: The literature from 1985 on the complications related to pancreas transplants was reviewed. Results: Approximately 50 to 60% of bladder drained pancreas transplant recipients will have a urological complication postoperatively. Conclusions: The increasing application of bladder drained pancreas transplantation in the treatment of type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus necessitates that the clinical urologist is familiar with the management of complications related to this procedure.