Explore
Why it's done. The goal of doing a Whipple procedure for cancer is to remove the tumor and prevent it from growing and spreading to other organs. This is the only treatment that can lead to prolonged survival and cure for most of these tumors.
What is a Whipple procedure for cancer?
For a Whipple procedure, the head of the pancreas, the beginning of the small intestine (duodenum), the gallbladder and the bile duct are removed. In certain situations, the Whipple procedure may also involve removing a portion of the stomach or the nearby lymph nodes.
What part of the pancreas is removed for Whipple procedure?
The area around the pancreas is complex and surgeons often encounter patients who have a variation in the arrangement of blood vessels and ducts. After the Whipple procedure was introduced, many surgeons were reluctant to perform it because it had a high death rate.
Why are surgeons reluctant to perform the Whipple procedure?
Whipple procedure. Whipple procedure 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.
What is Whipple procedure for gallbladder removal?
Where is the Whipple procedure done?
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.
What is Whipple procedure used for?
Also known as pancreaticoduodenectomy, the Whipple procedure involves removal of the "head" (wide part) of the pancreas next to the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). It also involves removal of the duodenum, a portion of the common bile duct, gallbladder, and sometimes part of the stomach.
What is a Whipple procedure on the liver?
The Whipple procedure, also known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a cancer treatment that involves removing the head of the pancreas, the duodenum, the gallbladder and bile duct. This is a very complex, risky procedure and only performed in the most severe cases.
Is Whipple surgery only for pancreatic cancer?
Typically, the Whipple procedure is a good option for patients whose cancer is confined to the pancreas or the small area adjacent to it, and who are in good enough health to reasonably anticipate that they will fully recover.
Who does Whipple surgery?
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network strongly recommends you have a high volume pancreatic surgeon (more than 15 surgeries per year) perform the surgery.
Why is it called Whipple procedure?
Formally called the pancreaticoduodenectomy, the Whipple procedure is named for the surgeon, Allen Oldfather Whipple, who refined it in the mid-1930s. It's frequently recommended if the cancer is located in the head of the pancreas, the widest part of the fish-shaped gland in the center of your abdomen.
Where is pancreas located?
Your pancreas sits behind your stomach and in front of your spine. Your gallbladder, liver and spleen surround your pancreas. The right side of your body contains the head of your pancreas. This narrow organ lies along the first segment of your small intestine, called the duodenum.
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 is the pancreas?
It is located inside your abdomen, just behind your stomach. It's about the size of your hand. During digestion, your pancreas makes pancreatic juices called enzymes. These enzymes break down sugars, fats, and starches. Your pancreas also helps your digestive system by making hormones.
What is the surgery for pancreatic cancer?
Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) This is the most common operation to remove a cancer in the head of the pancreas. During this operation, the surgeon removes the head of the pancreas and sometimes the body of the pancreas as well.
Is Whipple procedure done for benign tumors?
The Whipple procedure is the most common operation to remove pancreatic cancers. The Whipple procedure may also be used to treat some benign pancreatic lesions and cysts and cancers in the bile duct and beginning part of the small intestine (duodenum).
What are the two types of Whipple procedures?
There are two common types of Whipple procedures - the conventional Whipple and the pylorus-sparing Whipple. The conventional Whipple involves removal of the head of the pancreas, the duodenum, and a portion of the stomach, as well as the gallbladder and a portion of the bile duct.
What is the Whipple procedure?
Also known as pancreaticoduodenectomy, the Whipple procedure involves removal of the "head" (wide part) of the pancreasnext to the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). It also involves removal of the duodenum, a portion of the common bile duct, gallbladder, and sometimes part of the stomach.
How long do you live after a whipple?
Prognosis After the Whipple Procedure. Overall, the five-year survival rate after a Whipple procedure is about 20 to 25%.
How long do you have to be hospitalized after a syringe?
After surgery, patients are usually hospitalized for a week before returning home. Because recovery can be slow and painful, they usually need to take prescription or over-the-counter pain medications. At first, patients can eat only small amounts of easily digestible food.
How many pancreas surgeries are performed per year?
Because the Whipple procedure continues to be one of the most demanding and risky operations for surgeons and patients, the American CancerSociety says it's best to have the procedure done at a hospital that performs at least 15 to 20 pancreas surgeries per year.
Can pancreatic cancer be treated with whipping?
Only about 20% of pancreatic cancer patients are eligible for the Whipple procedure and other surgeries. These are usually patients whose tumors are confined to the head of the pancreas and haven't spread into any nearby major bloodvessels, the liver, lungs, or abdominal cavity.
Overview
The Whipple procedure (also called a pancreaticoduodenectomy) is a surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from the head (right side) of your pancreas to stop it from spreading to other organs (metastasizing). Around 15% to 20% of people with pancreatic cancer are eligible for this surgery.
Procedure Details
The Whipple procedure is a major inpatient surgery. You’ll need to recover in the hospital for about a week.
Recovery and Outlook
The survival rate for a Whipple procedure has improved a lot in the last few decades. Thirty years ago between 5% and 15% of people who went through the Whipple procedure died from complications. Now the mortality rate is about 1% to 3%.
Why It's Done
- A Whipple procedure may be a treatment option for people whose pancreas, duodenum or bile duct is affected by cancer or other disorder. The pancreas is a vital organ that lies in the upper abdomen, behind your stomach. It works closely with the liver and ducts that carry bile. The pan…
Risks
- The Whipple procedure is a technically difficult operation, often involving open surgery. It carries risks both during and after surgery. These may include: 1. Bleeding at the surgical areas 2. Infection of the incision area or inside your abdomen 3. Delayed emptying of the stomach, which may make it difficult to eat or to keep food down temporarily 4. Leakage from the pancreas or bi…
How You Prepare
- Your surgeon will review several factors to evaluate which approach to your surgery is best in your situation. He or she will also assess your condition and ensure that you are healthy enough for a complex operation. You may require some additional medical tests and optimization of some of your health conditions before proceeding to surgery. A Whipple procedure may be done in variou…
What You Can Expect
- Before the procedure
The morning of surgery, you'll check into the admission desk and register. Nurses and staff members will confirm your name, date of birth, procedure and surgeon. You will then need to change into a surgical gown in preparation for surgery. Before your surgery, an intravenous (IV) l… - During the procedure
A surgical team works together to enable you to have a safe and effective surgery. The team is made up of pancreatic surgeons, specialized surgical nurses, anesthesiologists and anesthetists — doctors and nurses trained in giving medication that causes you to sleep during surgery — an…
Results
- Your chances of long-term survival after a Whipple procedure depend on your particular situation. For most tumors and cancers of the pancreas, the Whipple procedure is the only known cure. Talk to your treatment team, family and friends if you feel stressed, worried or depressed. It may help to discuss how you're feeling. You may want to consider joining a support group of people who h…
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiesof tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.