Islet Autotransplantation for Chronic Pancreatitis
Islet transplantation is not only used for the cure of type 1 diabetes mellitus, but also can be used to prevent surgically-induced diabetes in patients with chronic pancreatitis who require total pancreatectomy to eliminate the intractable pain associated with this devastating disease. Patients are given back their own islets without the need for long-term immunosuppressive therapy. After these procedures, patients achieve complete resolution of their chronic pain and become re-establish normal lifestyle.