title: [Islet transplantation program in Japan].
abstract: In Japan, pancreas donation had been possible from cadaveric donors, either heartbeating or non-heart beating (NHB) donors. Pancreas allografts were distributed on organ allocation system of Japan Organ Transplant Network. Meanwhile, islet transplantation is categorized as tissue transplantation, and is free from legal restraints. Thus, pancreases for islet isolation should be obtained from NHB donors. Here, we report the starting program and preliminary results of islet transplantation in Japan. Selection and listing criteria for transplantation include regional priority, ABO blood type, previous islet transplant who can be insulin-independent, and a longer waiting time. Five institutes in Japan (Fukushima, Chiba, Kyoto, Kobe, and Fukuoka) are ready to start programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Fukushima Medical University.
authors.forename: Takuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Kazuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ise
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Manabu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsukada
authors.forename: Mitsukazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gotoh
mesh_terms: D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000639:trends*; D007564:Japan