What is pancreas surgery?
Pancreas surgery describes a series of procedures performed to treat the following conditions:
- Acute pancreatitis
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Pancreatic cancer
Surgery for the treatment of pancreatitis of biliary origin is known as cholecystectomy. This operation is characterized by the surgical removal of the gallbladder.
Intervention for the treatment of pancreatic cancer is often the only way to treat this form of cancer. There are several procedures for the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer:
- Whipple procedure
- Distal pancreatectomy
- Total pancreatectomy
- Biliopancreatic diversion
Why is it done?
If you suffer from acute or chronic pancreatitis, surgery to remove the gallbladder will be recommended for painful gallstones blocking bile flow.
Surgery should be the main option to treat pancreatic cancer, since, by its nature, it is difficult to diagnose and it is usually detected when it is already quite advanced.
What does it consist of?
A cholecystectomy can be performed through:
- Laparoscopy/Robotic: several small incisions are made in the abdomen and special tools are used to remove the gallbladder. This procedure is also known as minimally invasive surgery.
The different forms of pancreatic cancer surgery are performed in the following ways:
- Whipple procedure or cephalic duodenopancreatectomy.
This procedure involves removing the head of the pancreas, removing part of the small intestine, as well as the entire gallbladder and part of the bile duct.
Subsequently, this duct and the pancreas are connected to the small intestine, which means that bile, enzymes and pancreatic hormones continue to be released normally.
The Whipple procedure is a demanding type of surgery.
- Distal pancreatectomy
This procedure involves removing the body and tail of the pancreas. Depending on the extent of the tumor, the spleen, part of the stomach, intestine, left kidney and left adrenal gland may also be removed.
Again, this is a complex surgery that requires highly specialized equipment.
- Total pancreatectomy
In this procedure the entire pancreas is removed. Depending on where the cancerous tumor is located, this procedure is sometimes the best option.
During the procedure, it may also be removed:
- Gallbladder
- Spleen
- Surrounding lymph nodes
- Bile duct
- Part of the small intestine and stomach
Once the pancreas is removed, it is necessary to take enzymes to help digest food. In addition, patients who undergo the procedure will suffer from diabetes for the rest of their lives. This is due to the fact that the pancreas is the organ that produces the insulin needed to control blood sugar levels.
Preparing for pancreatic surgery
Before undergoing surgery for pancreatitis, tests will be performed to determine that the patient is fit and healthy enough to undergo surgery. In addition, in the period of time prior to surgery, it is recommended to follow a healthy diet, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol.
Post-surgery recovery
If you underwent laparoscopic surgery to remove the gallbladder, the recovery time is not long and discharge from the hospital usually takes place the following day. Patients usually return to normal activities within two weeks.
If, on the other hand, they underwent open surgery, convalescence is longer and the hospital stay lasts three to five days with a variable healing period of six to eight weeks.
Immediately after surgery for pancreatic cancer, the patient usually remains in the Intensive Care Unit before being transferred to a room to allow the patient to rest. After surgery, a series of drips and systems are likely to be applied to drain fluids, measure blood pressure, control pain and hydrate the patient.
Finally, if undergoing total pancreatectomy, the patient will be started on enzyme supplements and insulin. To do this, the patient will be taught how to administer them independently.