Does pancreatic transplantation cure diabetes?
Prof Dinesh Dhanwal
Prof of Medicine and Head of Endocrinology,
Maulana Azad Medical College,
New Delhi
Prof of Medicine and Head of Endocrinology,
Maulana Azad Medical College,
New Delhi
Q: I am a 21 years old male suffering from type 1 diabetes for the last two years. Does pancreatic transplantation cure diabetes? Are there any post surgery complications of this transplantation?
A:As of today, pancreatic transplant is done in subjects who are also undergoing kidney transplant. After transplant, one has to take immunosuppressive drugs, which are very costly and toxic. May be in near future we would have islet cell transplant available. Till that time it is best to use insulin with devices for type 1 diabetes.