Type 1 Diabetes

Some complications from type 1 diabetes are treated with surgery. For example, surgery to remove the Reference vitreous gel Opens New Window (vitrectomy) may improve eye disease.

For more information, see:

• Reference Diabetic Retinopathy.
• Reference Diabetic Nephropathy.
• Reference Diabetic Neuropathy.

Pancreas surgery

When insulin isn't enough to keep blood sugar in your target range, a Reference pancreas transplant Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window might be an option. If it's successful, you may no longer have symptoms or need to treat diabetes.

But you may still get complications from diabetes. If you already have complications, they may continue to get worse as time goes on.

The success rate for pancreas transplants is improving because of new surgical techniques and new medicines.

If you get a transplanted pancreas, you must take medicine to keep your body from rejecting the new organ.

A pancreas transplant can be done at the same time as a Reference kidney transplant Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window.

Pancreatic islet cell surgery

Research continues on pancreatic islet cell surgery. It involves inserting a small group of donated pancreas cells (islet cells) through a vein in your liver. After surgery, these cells begin making insulin. If they can make enough, you may no longer need insulin injections.

Because the surgery is simpler than a pancreas transplant, there are usually fewer complications. But you must still take medicine to prevent rejection.

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