Pancreatectomy, Islet Cell Transplantation, and Nutrition Considerations

Pancreatic islet transplantation is a reliable approach for treating insulin-deficient diabetes. This established β-cell replacement approach has shown considerable improvements in the last 2 decades. It has helped achieve metabolic homeostasis and safe outcomes for a subset of patients with type 1 diabetes and severe pancreatitis. Nutrition support, until recently, was considered as a secondary factor, merely identified as a means of providing all the necessary nutrients for such patients. However, new literature suggests that several factors, such as the route, timing, quantity, and composition of all the nutrients administered, have key disease-altering properties and are vital during the perioperative management of such patients. This review will highlight the benefits of performing the clinical islet transplantation on a subgroup of patients with type 1 diabetes and pancreatitis and summarize new data that identify the pivotal role of nutrition support as a critical intervention in their management.