Why do the surgeons cut the bile duct as well during whipple procedure?

Anatomy: The bile duct actually runs thru the pancreas before entering into the duodenum. Therefore, in order to remove the head of the pancreas, a portion of the bile duct (plus the duodenum) must be removed, as well.

Blocked: Most people who have a whipple procedure performed have a mass or tumor that is blocking the bike duct, so it is necessary to cut the duct and bypass the blockage.

Connected structures: The head of the pancreas, the duodenum, and the bile duct are all tightly connected structures, so that if one of those organs needs to be resected - they all come together.

Part of operation: The bile duct enters the pancreas and opens into the duodenum. The whipple procedure, requires removal of portions of the pancreas, duodenum and the distal bile duct in one piece. Most commonly, it is performed for cancers of the pancreas, duodenum around the ampulla, or distal bile ducts.

Anatomy: The distal end of the bile duct passes through the head of the pancreas, on the way to the duodenum. (whipple surgery removes the head of the pancreas.) the bile duct is transected and then reconnected to a new location on the small intestine.