A pancreaticoduodenectomy, also known as a Whipple procedure, is a major surgical operation most often performed to remove cancerous tumours from the head of the pancreas. It is also used for the treatment of pancreatic or duodenal trauma, or chronic pancreatitis.

What is a Pancreatoduodenectomy called?

(PAN-kree-uh-toh-DOO-ah-deh-NEK-toh-mee) A type of surgery used to treat pancreatic cancer. The head of the pancreas, the duodenum, a portion of the stomach, and other nearby tissues are removed. Also called Whipple procedure.

Why is it called Whipple?

The classic Whipple procedure is named after Allen Whipple, MD, a Columbia University surgeon who was the first American to perform the operation in 1935.

What is a Whipple in medicine?

A Whipple procedure — also known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy — is a complex operation to remove the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine (duodenum), the gallbladder and the bile duct. The Whipple procedure is used to treat tumors and other disorders of the pancreas, intestine and bile duct.

What is a Whipple in surgery?

The Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) is an operation to remove the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine (duodenum), the gallbladder and the bile duct. The remaining organs are reattached to allow you to digest food normally after surgery.

The Whipple Procedure | Johns Hopkins Medicine

18 related questions found

How long does a Whipple take?

On average, the surgery takes six hours to complete. Most patients stay in the hospital for one to two weeks following the Whipple procedure.

How long did Steve Jobs live after Whipple surgery?

After a delay of nine months after diagnosis, in 2004, Jobs opted for surgery. He died 7 years later.

Is Whipple surgery painful?

How will I feel after having the Whipple procedure? Following the surgery, you may experience pain from the incision. You can resume eating and drinking by mouth several days after surgery. At first, the stomach may not empty well, causing a bloated or full feeling.

Can you live without pancreas?

It's possible to live without a pancreas. But when the entire pancreas is removed, people are left without the cells that make insulin and other hormones that help maintain safe blood sugar levels. These people develop diabetes, which can be hard to manage because they are totally dependent on insulin shots.

How long can you live after pancreas removal?

Without artificial insulin injections and digestive enzymes, a person without a pancreas cannot survive. One 2016 study found that about three-quarters of people without cancer survived at least 7 years following pancreas removal.

Can a pancreatic mass be benign?

Benign and precancerous growths in the pancreas. Some growths in the pancreas are simply benign (not cancer), while others might become cancer over time if left untreated (known as precancers).

Does the pancreas grow back after surgery?

We conclude that the human pancreas does not regenerate after partial anatomic (50%) resection.

Why is duodenum removed in Whipple?

The reason for the removal of the duodenum along with the head of the pancreas is that they share the same arterial blood supply (the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery and inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery).

What are the side effects of having your pancreas removed?

After pancreatic surgery, it is normal to have difficulty eating or to experience nausea, vomiting or heartburn. These symptoms are caused by a condition known as "gastric ileus," or temporary paralysis of the stomach. It may take your digestive system anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to return to normal.

What type of doctor does pancreatic surgery?

Specialized cancer surgeons (surgical oncologists), gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and other experts provide comprehensive, individualized care for people considering or being recommended to undergo the Whipple procedure.

How long does a duodenal stent last?

The median survival time after stent placement was 113 days. Six patients (30%) survived for >6 months, with 1 patient, who remains alive, having survived for >2 years (Figure 2). The median time of stent patency was 109 days. Relapses of duodenal obstruction were observed in 5 patients (25%).

What are the signs of a bad pancreas?

Chronic pancreatitis signs and symptoms include: Upper abdominal pain. Abdominal pain that feels worse after eating. Losing weight without trying.
...
Symptoms

• Upper abdominal pain.
• Abdominal pain that radiates to your back.
• Tenderness when touching the abdomen.
• Fever.
• Rapid pulse.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.

Can your pancreas burst?

A pancreatic pseudocyst isn't usually dangerous unless it ruptures. A ruptured pancreatic pseudocyst is a life-threatening condition. See your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms: high, persistent fever.

Can the pancreas repair itself?

Acute pancreatitis is a self-limiting condition. In most instances, the pancreas heals itself and normal pancreatic functions of digestion and sugar control are restored.

Is chemo necessary after Whipple surgery?

You should be offered chemotherapy after surgery (such as the Whipple's procedure) to try to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back. Gemcitabine with capecitabine (GemCap) is used most often after surgery.

What is dumping after Whipple surgery?

Dumping syndrome is when food moves too fast from the stomach into the small intestine. It may also be called rapid gastric emptying. Dumping syndrome is more common after a Whipple procedure than a modified Whipple procedure.

Who is a good candidate for Whipple surgery?

For pancreatic cancer, specifically, the Whipple procedure is considered only for tumors that have not metastasized (spread) to other structures. An individual with tumors of the pancreatic head that have not spread are a typical candidate for the Whipple procedure.

Did Steve Jobs Have children?

Steve Jobs had three children with Laurene Powell Jobs and one child from his previous relationship. What is this? The three children, Reed Paul, Eve Jobs, and Erin Sienna, are less known to the public than his fourth child, Lisa Brennan-Jobs.

Can you drink alcohol after having Whipple surgery?

If you drink alcohol regularly, you may be at risk for other complications during and after your surgery. These include bleeding, infections, heart problems, and a longer hospital stay.

Why is Whipple surgery so difficult?

Whipple procedures are complicated because they involve so many different organs, but that's not the only reason. “The pancreas is located in a very difficult spot, deep in the central part of the abdomen,” Reddy explained.