If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you might have heard of the Whipple procedure. Not many patients know about this surgery. Therefore, the best pancreatic doctor in Kolkata explains the top six things you should know about the Whipple procedure.
What is the Whipple procedure?
The Whipple procedure is a surgical treatment that aims to remove the pancreas head, the distal bile duct, the gallbladder, regional lymph nodes, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) that connects to the stomach.
In some cases, a surgeon may also remove a part of the stomach and nearby veins and arteries. A doctor typically makes a single incision in the upper belly and conducts the surgery. However, sometimes the surgery may be performed through several smaller incisions.
Cancers that can be treated by the Whipple procedure
Cancers that originate elsewhere but spread to the pancreas
Whipple procedure Eligibility
Whipple procedure is typically a good option for patients whose cancer is limited in and near the pancreas. A surgeon also takes a patient’s health into account and anticipates whether they will fully recover after the procedure.
If a patient is frail or not strong enough or their cancer has spread far beyond the pancreas, a doctor will not recommend the Whipple procedure.
Benefits of a Whipple procedure
Whipple procedure aims to prolong a patient’s life or potentially cure their cancer. The surgery also prevents or relieves symptoms such as pain or blockage of the bile duct or stomach.
Whipple procedure Recovery
After a Whipple procedure, you can usually leave the hospital within a week. However, it might take as long as 2 to 6 months to completely recover and get back to your usual quality of life. The time taken to recover depends on the individual.
If a Whipple procedure is performed on the right patient at the right time by an experienced surgeon, patients can expect a total return to the quality of life they had before cancer.
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