Total pancreatectomy in the pig for islet transplantation. Technical alternatives

Pigs appear to be a suitable biological and logistical animal donor of islets for xenotransplantation in human diabetic type I recipients. To improve the islet isolation technique in this species, to evaluate the islet function in vivo, and to assess the toxic effects of various immunosuppressive regiments on transplanted islets will necessitate a model of the pancreatectomized pig suitable for islet autotransplantation. We describe three techniques of total pancreatectomy in pigs. The first removed the pancreas in order to study postoperative management and pig survival; no attempt was made to preserve the pancreas for islet isolation. The second consisted of a pancreatectomy in a surviving pig, with careful preservation of the whole pancreas for subsequent islet isolation. The third was rapid en bloc procurement of the pancreas and duodenum, to obtain a pancreas solely for the purpose of islet isolation. We conclude that pigs tolerate and survive a total pancreatectomy--they are suitable animals for islet isolation and possible autotransplantation. The result of islet isolation does not appear related to the pancreas procurement technique; however, the islet yield must be improved before autotransplantation can be functionally successful.