Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplantation - A Novel Approach to Improve Islet Quality and Engraftment

The process is based on the enzymatic isolation of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans from an organ procured from a cadaveric donor; the islets obtained are injected into the liver of the recipient via percutaneous catheterization of the portal venous system . This procedure allows the selective transplantation of the insulin-producing cell population avoiding open surgery as well as the transplantation of the duodenum and the exocrine pancreas and their related morbidity.