[Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion with portable pumps].

Type I diabetes mellitus requires an exogenous supply of insulin that ideally mimics physiological insulin secretion. The treatment goal is to achieve normoglycaemia in order to prevent or delay chronic complications, while limiting the risk of hypoglycaemia. Numerous advances have been performed in the last 10 years, as far as nature of insulin formulations, home blood glucose monitoring devices and modes of insulin delivery. Among the latter, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) using portable pumps represents the most sophisticated treatment capable of best mimicking normal insulin secretion. Such treatment provides better glucose control and glucose stability as compared to conventional multiple injection insulin therapy. However, it is essential to respect well defined indications and to organize a structured management by a multidisciplinary team in order to get the best metabolic results. The present paper describes recommendations, advantages and limits as well as cost of CSII with portable pumps in type 1 diabetic patients.