Doctors performed an experimental, but successful surgery on a wounded serviceman that they believe may lead to a permanent cure for diabetes, according to a recent article published by the Miami Herald.
Airman Tre F. Porfirio, 21, was shot in the back while fighting in Afghanistan. His pancreas and several other organs were severely wounded. Doctors had to remove his pancreas, which can lead to a severe form of diabetes. The pancreas is responsible for insulin production, the hormone that controls the body’s blood sugar levels.
The damaged pancreas was removed and flown to the University of Miami where doctors salvaged insulin-producing cells from the damaged organ. The cells were then flown back and transplanted into Porfirio’s liver.
Three weeks after the procedure, the transplanted cells are producing insulin. However, doctors are giving Porfirio insulin as well because they do not want to put excess strain on the newly transplanted cells. Doctors say the transplanted cells will develop their own blood vessels in a matter of weeks.
The transplant is the first known procedure done on an individual suffering a traumatic injury and the first known time it has involved such a scenario. Such cell transplants are not entirely new. Researchers, in very limited experimental surgeries, have taken cells from cadaver donors, or even pigs in some cases, and transplanted them into humans suffering from severe forms of diabetes. However, the patients in those cases must receive a swath of drugs to prevent the body from rejecting and destroying the new cells.
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Interesting story. My wife Carolyn had the procedure about 6 years ago. Done at University of Cinn. She was probably the first person to have it all done. She has counseled patiences on the procedure and spoken at medical conferences about it. Thanks for listening.