Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplantation for Diabetes
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.
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.