Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplantation After Kidney Transplantation - A Novel Approach to Immunosupression

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.