Islet transplantation

Islet transplantation is a medical procedure where insulin-producing cells from a donor pancreas, called islets, are transferred into a person with diabetes. This helps their body produce insulin naturally, reducing or potentially eliminating the need for insulin injections. The process involves extracting islets from a healthy donor pancreas, then injecting them into the recipient’s liver, where they can establish blood supply and function. It is primarily used for people with severe type 1 diabetes who have difficulty managing blood sugar levels despite other treatments. While promising, it is still an evolving procedure, with ongoing research to improve success rates and long-term outcomes.