TY - JOUR AU - Bellin, Melena D. AU - Muratore, Sydne AU - Skube, Mariya E. AU - Beilman, Greg J AU - Coughlan, Alexandria J AU - McEachron, Kendall R. PY - 2019 DA - 2019/01/24 TI - Where’s Waldo? Extrahepatic Site Options for Islet Transplantation JO - OBM Transplantation SP - 042 VL - 03 IS - 01 AB - The current predominant location for allo- and auto-transplantation of islets is the liver. Despite the historical success of this site, recent studies have revealed multiple disadvantages. Portal hypertension, portal vein thrombosis, bleeding, low oxygen tension, instant blood mediated inflammatory reaction, inadequate alpha cell function, and delays in neovascularization are factors that continue to drive researchers to explore alternative sites for islet transplantation. Factors of an optimal site include: capacity, transplant efficacy, portal venous drainage, high oxygen tension, and easy retrievability. Sites such as the spleen, kidney, intestinal wall, bone marrow, omentum, and peritoneum, among others, have been evaluated for islet transplant. The various benefits and limitations of these alternate sites are reviewed in this article. SN - 2577-5820 UR - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.transplant.1901042 DO - 10.21926/obm.transplant.1901042 ID - Bellin2019 ER -