is the whipple procedure dangerous?

Question

Answer 1

Major operation: The whipple procedure is removal of the head of the pancreas and most of the duodenum (first portion of the small intestine), done for a tumor or other type of serious problem. Since these structures are connected to the stomach and the liver and the rest of the pancreas, new connections are created. Today, outcomes are quite good....And better than allowing tumors to grow. But risks are real.

Answer 2

Any: Operation has risks, but also benefits. This operation is a radical pancreatico-duodenectomy, done usually for malignant tumors of the head of pancreas, distal bile duct, or duodenum. It is a big operation, but in experienced hands can be performed with minimal morbidity and mortality. The underlying condition for which it is being performed, on the other hand, is usually fatal if not resected.

Answer 3

Pancreatic surgery: Whipple procedure is to make secretions from the pancreas drain into the digestive tract by surgery. When there is disease in the pancreas ( tumors benign or malignant, strictures, stones etc. )or nearby structures that blocks the pancreatic ducts this fluid full of secretions like Insulin and glucagon and pancreatic enzymes to digest fat cannot come out should come out.

Answer 4

For pancreas cancer: Whipples are majorly done for cancer of the head of the pancreas. It offers the only curative option for this. It removes the pancreatic head, duodenum and frequently part of the stomach too.

Answer 5

Pancreas removal: A whipple procedure is where the proximal portion or head of the pancreas along with the majority of the duodenum (first part of the small intestine) and the last segment of the common bile duct are removed. The intestines are then reconstructed and the end of the pancreas as well as the bile duct are reconnected to the GI system. This surgery is done for a mass or a cancer in this area.

Answer 6

Pancreatico-duodenec: The head of the pancreas and the adjoining duodenum and bile ducts are removed. The distal stomach is also removed in the classic whipple procedure(named for a.S.Whipple, surgeon at columbia in the 1940's). The cut ends of organs are then reconstructed. It is most often done for cancers in the head of the pancreas or periampullary region.

Answer 7

Resect and reconnect: 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. Once the site of disease has been removed, those three organs are reconnected again. It is important to find a surgeon with experience in the field since studies show that case volume is a key factor to patient safety.

Answer 8

Major surgery: "whipple procedure" is major reworking of the plumbing, generally done to treat tumors of head of pancreas, neighboring ampulla of vater (entryway of panc and bile duct into small bowel). This shold be done by a surgeon who does "a lot" of these, in a place where they do "a lot" of these- often a cancer referral center. Can be a lot of perioperative, postoperative complications, longterm problems.

Answer 9

Yes: Historically, pancreaticoduodectomy was much feared for its high complication and mortality rate. However in experienced hands, it can be done safely. Risk is relative and depends on the underlying disease necessitating the operation, the medical condition and age of the patient, and the expertise of the surgeon and institution.

Answer 10

Yes: This procedure is most commonly done in an attempt to cure pancreatic cancer.

Answer 11

Pancreas cancer surg: This procedure is most often used to treat cancer in the "head" of the pancreas. It involves removing about half of the pancreas then reattaching the liver (bile ducts) and remaining pancreas to the intestines. There are multiple ways to actually do the surgery in terms of how the various organs are re-attached.

Answer 12

Yes: I perform about one a week, and have performed over 100 in my career. It is a complex operation lasting about 4 hours.

Answer 13

Depends: It depends somewhat on why the surgery was performed. If the pancreas surgery was for cancer, the long term risks are cancer recurrence. If the surgery was for pain from chronic pancreatitis, the long term risk is pain recurrence. Other risks are diabetes, fatty food intolerance, nutritional or dietary changes.

Answer 14

Malnutrition: Depending on exactly how the procedure was done and how the intestines are reconnected, malnutrition or at least altered nutritional requirements is the most important long term complication. If the procedure was done for cancer there is also a chance the cancer could regrow or recur.

Answer 15

Digestive ,diabetes: One may need enzymes that the pancreas makes to digeat fat.One may become diabetic and need Insulin or medications by mouth.

Answer 16

Eventually normal: Recovery is slow and can be even slower with complications. Patients who are not diabetic and have normal pancreatic functions maintain normal function postoperatively most of the time. Patients will initially have poor appeptite and lose weight but eventually return to eating a normal diet. Recovery can also be delayed if patients require chemo &/or radiation.

Answer 17

Long recovery: A whipple procedure is a very major abdominal operation. Provided there are no postoperative complications, it can take weeks or months to start to feel more normal. Other long term effects can relate to exactly how the surgery was done, how the intestines are reconstructed, etc.

Answer 18

Can be difficult: Not for everyone, but the whipple procedure has a 40% morbidity rate. That means 40% of people have a major complication such as pneumonia, abscess, wound infections and most notably delayed gastric emptying. However, unfortunately if you aor someone you know is in need of a whipple the alternative is not attractive either.

Answer 19

Most often normal: Some patients may have to take enzymes for digestion and others but only a few will become diabetic especially if they have diabetes in the family.

Answer 20

Improved: After recovery from surgery, life should be back to normal but may require, in some patients, supplementation with pancreatic digestive enzymes and/or Insulin for diabetes. Some patients will need to eat smaller amounts at meals ( depending upon how much stomach is removed). The underlying reason for the procedure will determine long term outcome- e.g. Pancreatic cancer vs. Benign disease.

is the whipple procedure dangerous?

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