[Pumps for insulin infusion in the ambulatory treatment of diabetes mellitus].

Insulin infusions given by portable pumps constitute a recent therapeutic advance in those difficult cases of diabetes mellitus which cannot be stabilized by repeated conventional injections. The different varieties of pumps, catheters and insulins used are described. The intravenous and intraperitoneal routes of administration have given results superior to those of the subcutaneous route. Short-term results are evaluated by change in blood glucose levels, medium-term results by glycosylated haemoglobin levels and various metabolic and hormonal abnormalities, and long-term results mostly by the influence of treatment on degenerative complications of diabetes. The metabolic and infectious incidents and accidents of the method as well as its psychological advantages and drawbacks are discussed.