Transplantation of insulin-secreting tissues.

Abstract
The success and failure of 3 types of transplants of pancreatic insulin-secreting tissues [pancreas with or without vascular anastomoses, transplantation of isolated islets] were discussed. The failure of whole pancreas transplantation was due to leakage of exocrine secretion, vascular thrombosis and immunological rejection. Clinical and experimental transplantation [human, animals] of pancreatic fragments has been tried with limited success. In transplanting isolated islets, consideration must be given to site, antigenicity, complications of diabetes and the in vitro storage of isolated islet cells.