[Transplantation of the islands of Langerhans: evaluation and perspectives].

Islets of Langerhans transplantation was studied in four groups of dogs (autotransplantation after immediate or delayed total pancreatectomy; allotransplantation with immediate total pancreatectomy or 4 days after total pancreatectomy). It is concluded: 1. that it is unnecessary to separate endocrine from exocrine pancreatic elements; 2. that a moderate hyperglycemia for a few days after transplantation is required for ultimate survival and function of transplanted material; 3. that further experimental work has to be done before allotransplantation can be safely performed in man.