In insulin pump therapy, insulin is continuously infused into the subcutaneous adipose tissue via a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) catheter using a basal/bolus pattern. Unfortunately, insulin absorption from the tissue surrounding a CSII catheter can be slow, variable, and unreliable. It is recommended to replace CSII catheters after 2 to 3 days of use. Frequently changing the injection site can be tedious and moreover leads to scarring, while reusing the same injection site can lead to medical complications such as lipohypertrophy. CSII catheters are manufactured from both steel and Teflon and use of either of these materials is based on personal preference/experience rather than scientific, empirical data. We hypothesize that the inflammatory response to CSII catheters is a major contributor to variable insulin absorption and that this response is significantly different between materials and catheters shapes. In order to develop CSII catheters with an extended life-time up to 7 days, we need to better understand the inflammatory response caused by the introduction and maintenance of a CSII catheter into the subcutaneous adipose tissue. This study is a pilot study in humans scheduled for elective plastic surgery where a large skin flap is removed from the abdominal region. Teflon and steel CSII catheters will be inserted into the abdomen 7, 4, and 3 days prior to surgery. This study design allows for the removal of tissue plugs surrounding CSII catheters without causing additional scarring for the patient.
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Area of inflammation (mm2)
Timeframe: 7 days