Implantable Insulin Infusion Devices

Abstract

To the Editor.— In the editorial by Service et al (1982;247:1866), they urge extreme caution in the clinical use of both extracorporeal and implantable insulin infusion devices. Since the use of external infusion devices has been associated with substantial morbidity and mortality and intensive conventional therapy has been shown to provide similar glycemic control in both short- and long-term studies, we believe that both types of devices should be used only in carefully supervised research protocols at present. However, we must disagree with part of the following contention of Service et al: ... that implantation of insulin delivery systems into humans is not justified other than for acute and closely supervised experiments designed to answer questions that cannot be answered adequately in animal studies (italics ours). Some of us have much experience with implantable drug delivery systems, and we believe that the implantation of devices of this type is not justified