Pancreatic islet cell transplantation

[Merna]

Pancreatic islet cell transplantation is the surgical removal of the pancreas from a recently deceased person, the separation of islet cells from the pancreas, and then their injection into a person with severe diabetes whose pancreas no longer makes enough insulin.
(See also Overview of Transplantation.)
Pancreatic islet cell transplantation may be an option for people who have diabetes and whose pancreas cannot make enough insulin . The cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are called islet cells.
Transplanting islet cells is simpler and safer than pancreas transplantation, and about 75% of people who receive an islet cell transplant no longer need insulin 1 year later and may not need it for many more years. However, the long-term success of islet cell transplantation is not yet proved.

[Monty]

Islet cell transplantation (into the recipient#39;s liver) has theoretical advantages over pancreas transplantation; the most important is that the procedure is less invasive. A secondary advantage is that islet cell transplantation appears to help maintain normoglycemia in patients who require total pancreatectomy for pain due to chronic pancreatitis. Nevertheless, the procedure remains developmental, although steady improvements appear to be occurring.
Its disadvantages are that transplanted glucagon -secreting alpha cells are nonfunctional (possibly complicating hypoglycemia) and several pancreata are usually required for a single islet cell recipient (exacerbating disparities between graft supply and demand and limiting use of the procedure).
Indications are the same as those for pancreas transplantation. Simultaneous islet cell–kidney transplantation may be desirable after the technique is improved.
(See also Overview of Transplantation.)