[Successful allotransplantation of an island of Langerhans]

Combined renal and pancreatic transplantation in patients with juvenile diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy and renal insufficiency is designed to improve the poor prognosis observed with hemodialysis or renal transplantation alone. Interest has recently shifted from pancreatic organ to islet transplantation, in view of the absence of complications with the latter. However, no permanent success with islet transplants in diabetic patients has so far been reported. In the series presented, one patient with juvenile diabetes and subsequent renal failure was successfully treated with simultaneous kidney and intrasplenic pancreatic islet allotransplants. One year after the operation the patient has normal blood glucose levels without exogenous insulin, despite treatment with prednisone.