INFLUENCE OF ISLET TRANSPORTATION ON PANCREATIC ISLET ALLOTRANSPLANTATION IN TYPE 1 DIABETIC PATIENTS WITHIN THE SWISS-FRENCH GRAGIL NETWORK

The influence of islet transportation on pancreatic islet allotransplantation in type 1 diabetic patients was evaluated within the GRAGIL network.From December 2001 to April 2003, 16 human pancreatic islet transplants were performed in 9 type 1 diabetic patients with an established kidney graft (functioning for at least 6 months) in four centers of the GRAGIL network. Islet isolation was performed in a core laboratory in Geneva, and the islet preparations were shipped by ambulance to each center for transplantation. One month after transplantation, the efficiency of the graft was assessed according to islet transportation time (ITT): ITT less than 2 hours (group 1, n=5), and ITT greater tha…