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Frequently Asked Questions
 Why do people want to have an auto islet transplant with their pancreatectomy?
After financial approval is obtained for surgery, how soon will surgery be scheduled?
When will I be admitted to the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview?
How long will I be in the hospital following the pancreatectomy and auto islet transplant?
Will I need to take insulin shots after surgery?
How will I know that the islets are working?
What are the chances that I will need insulin long-term after surgery?
How long does it usually take for the islet cells will be working well enough for me to come off the insulin?
Is there someone I can talk to who has had this surgery?
Is an islet transplant a treatment or cure for pancreatic cancer?
Why do people want to have an auto islet transplant with their pancreatectomy?
People with chronic pancreatitis often have a total pancreatectomy to relieve pain. By having their pancreas removed, they no longer have islets to help regulate their blood sugar. Therefore, they are diabetic after the surgery.
Today, people with chronic pancreatitis have the option of having an auto-islet transplant after their pancreatectomy so that, hopefully, they will not need to take insulin shots. During this procedure, the pancreas is removed from the patient, the islets are isolated from the pancreas, and then the islets are infused by IV back into the patient through the portal vein into their liver. The auto-islet transplant has the potential to prevent diabetes or to make the diabetes milder than it would be if the patient had only a pancreatectomy.
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After financial approval is obtained for surgery, how soon will surgery be scheduled?
Typically, surgery will be scheduled within 1-2 months after financial approval is received.
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When will I be admitted to the University of Minnesota Medical Center, a Fairview (formerly called Fairview-University Medical Center)?
You will be admitted to the hospital on the day of surgery.
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How long will I be in the hospital following the pancreatectomy and auto islet transplant?
You should plan being in the hospital for about 2-3 weeks, depending on how fast you recover. You may be able to travel home after discharge, but some patients stay in the area for a week or so to make sure they are stable before traveling.
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Will I need to take insulin shots after the surgery?
Yes, you will be on an insulin drip in the hospital. You will also learn how to manage diabetes while you are in the hospital.
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How will I know that the islets are working?
As your islets start working more, you will take less insulin. It is important that you work with your local internist or family doctor to assist with the insulin adjustments after your surgery.
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What are the chances that I will need insulin long-term after surgery?
If you have a pancreatectomy and auto islet transplant, there is a 50% chance that you will need insulin long-term after surgery.
Keep in mind that if you have a pancreatectomy without an auto islet transplant, there is a 100% certainty that you will need insulin long-term after surgery.
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How long does it usually take before the islet cells will be working well enough for me to come off the insulin?
Typically, it takes about a month for the islet cells to be working well enough that you can start to come off insulin.
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Is there someone I can talk to who has had this surgery?
First, you may want to read about the experiences some of our patients have had before and after they had a pancreatectomy and auto-islet transplant. You may also want to check out some of the websites listed on our links pages. In addition, you may be able to find out about other people's experiences before, during and after their pancreatectomy and auto-islet transplant by going online to pancreatitis support groups.
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Is an islet transplant a treatment or cure for pancreatic cancer?
No, islet transplants are not a treatment for cancer.
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