Whipple procedure is also known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy. It encompasses several surgical procedures in one operation, which involves the removal of the gallbladder, head of the pancreas, a portion of the bile duct, a portion of the small intestine and a lower portion of the stomach.
There are two types of whipple procedures
Some cases which can be treated with a Whipple procedure are
Cancers of the pancreas, bile duct, or duodenum are frequently found together in ampullary area. Ampulla is a complex network of ducts that transport digestive enzymes from liver through bile duct and from pancreas through pancreatic duct into the duodenum to complete food digestion. The whipple procedure considers removal of ampulla and nearby organs, and the surgeon makes decisions based on the spread of cancer.
The risks of Whipple surgery include:
A whipple procedure can be done in various ways:
An open procedure involves your surgeon making an incision in your abdomen to gain access to your pancreas. This is the most common approach.
Laparoscopic surgery involves the surgeon making several small incisions in your abdomen and inserting special instruments, including a camera that transmits video to a monitor in the operating room. The surgeon uses the monitor to direct the surgical tools as they perform the whipple procedure. Laparoscopic surgery is considered minimally invasive surgery.
robotic surgery, surgical tools are attached to a mechanical device (robot). The surgeon sits at a console and directs the robot with hand controls. A surgical robot can use tools in tight spaces where human hands would be ineffective.
Before the Procedure
During the Procedure
After the surgery
The gastroenterology specialists at Medicover have the expertise to handle the most challenging and complex surgical cases with top-notch skill, expertise, and dexterity. They offer treatment for both benign and malignant conditions of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, stomach and bile ducts. Our team provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for an array of digestive disorders. Our team of doctors are very well experienced, trained in worlds best hospitals and follow latest uptodate evidence based protocols in managing complex HPB(Hepatobiliary and pancreatic)diseases. The team of gastrointestinal doctors work with the latest technology giving personalised, cost-effective quality care to patients of all age groups. This makes Medicover one of the most trusted and best gastro hospitals for gastroenterology problems.
Whipple surgery is a complex procedure with a high risk of major complications. The surgery and management of any complications require a great deal of skill and experience.
Whipple surgery typically takes six hours to complete. Most patients are admitted to the hospital for 1 to 2 weeks following the procedure. Expert team will follow ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) protocol in our hospital and patient will recover early and got discharged early with less risk of complications.
Fried, greasy and fatty foods should be avoided. With an altered pancreas, these foods are difficult to digest. Instead, opt for bland foods. Post whipple procedure, it is advised to limit fat intake to not more than 40-60 grams per day.
It is a major operation, and recovery will be lengthy. If no complications arise, you should be able to resume your normal activities within 4-6 weeks.
You should be offered chemotherapy depending on stage of cancer after whipple surgery to remove cancer. This will reduce the chances of cancer returning.
Whipple procedure, the only known cure for pancreatic cancer, is typically performed on patients whose cancer has not spread beyond the pancreas. If detected early, pancreatic cancer has the potential to be curable.
Long-term complications of whipple surgery include abdominal discomfort, weight loss, digestive issues, and chronic fatigue.
Your pancreas makes insulin and controls your blood sugar. Since part of pancreas is removed during the whipple procedure, there is a chance that you may develop diabetes particularly in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Patients who have diabetes before surgery will need to adjust their diabetes medicine after surgery.
The approximate cost of whipple surgery in India is INR 2,50,000, but it can vary depending on the complexity of the disease and the city in which you are getting treated.
Local or distant site recurrence can be observed but with precise staging and multimodality treatment recurrence can be minimised or prolonged.
