Objective: To explore methods of preventing and reversing rejection after simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation.
Methods: Seventeen patients underwent SPK transplantation from September 1999 to September 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. Immunosuppression was achieved by a triple drug regimen consisting of cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofteil (MMF), and steroids. Three patients were treated with anti-CD3 monoclone antibody (OKT3, 5 mg x d(-1)) for induction therapy for a mean period of 5-7 days. One patients received IL-2 receptor antibodies (daclizumab) in a dose of 1 mg x kg(-1) on the day of transplant and the 5th day posttransplant. One patient was treated with both OKT3 and daclizumab for induction.
Results: No primary non-functionality of either kidney or pancreas occurred in this series of transplantations. Function of all the kidney grafts recovered within 2 to 4 days after transplantation. The level of serum creatinine was 94 +/- 11 micromol/L on the 7th day posttransplant. One patient experienced the accelerated rejection, resulting in the resection of the pancreas and kidney grafts because of the failure of conservative therapy. The incidence of the first rejection episodes at 3 months was 47.1% (8/17). Only the kidney was involved in 35.3% (6/17); and both the pancreas and kidney were involved in 11.8% (2/17). All these patients received a high-dose pulse of methylprednisone (0.5 g x d(-1)) for 3 days. OKT3 (0.5 mg x d(-1)) was administered for 7-10 days in two patients with both renal and pancreas rejection. All the grafts were successfully rescued.
Conclusion: Rejection, particularly acute rejection, is the major cause influencing graft function in SPK transplantation. Monitoring renal function and pancreas exocrine secretion, and reasonable application of immunosuppressants play important roles in the diagnosis and treatment of rejection.