islet transplantation

islet transplantation

An alternative to pancreatic transplantation in patients whose conventional diabetic control is threateningly poor and whose risk of diabetic complications and shortening of life is considered high. A lesser degree of immunosuppression is required than panceras transplantation and the surgery is minor. Purified ISLETS OF LANGERHANS are digested from a donor pancreas and are infused through a catheter passed through the liver into the portal vein from whence the islets pass into the sinusoids of the liver. The method is still considered experimental.