Islet autotransplantation after pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis with a new method of islet preparation

Abstract

Near-total (95 percent) pancreatectomy with intraportal islet autotransplantation was performed in five patients with chronic pancreatitis. Two patients are completely insulin-independent 7 and 14 months after autotransplantation; the other three patients obtained partial independence. A new method of islet cell preparation is described. Islet cell autotransplantation after total or near-total pancreatectomy should at present be viewed with cautious optimism. Additional cases need to be studied and followed up before its role in the surgery of chronic pancreatitis will be clear.