Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplantation for Diabetes

Topic Overview

If you have pancreatic islet cell surgery because of type 1 diabetes, a surgeon will insert a small group of working pancreas cells (islet cells) from two or more donors through the portal vein in your liver. After surgery, these cells slowly begin producing insulin. When the cells produce enough insulin to stabilize your blood sugar, you may no longer need insulin injections.

Because the surgery is less complicated than organ transplantation, usually fewer complications occur. But you must still take medicine to prevent rejection.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerJennifer Hone, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Last RevisedSeptember 26, 2012
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: September 26, 2012
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Jennifer Hone, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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