Pancreas Surgery

Pancreas Surgery

Pancreas Anatomy

Pancreas is a small but vitally important organ that lies across the back of the abdomen behind most of the other organs. It has two major functions: firstly it makes enzymes (digestive juices) that are released into intestines to break down and absorb nutrients from the food we eat. Secondly, it makes hormones that are released into the blood streams which control the metabolism of sugars.

Pancreatic Disease Symptoms

Many pancreatic disorders have few obvious or specific symptoms. When the pancreas is inflamed (e.g. acute pancreatitis) it often causes pain, this is usually felt in the central or upper part of the abdomen and is often associated with back pain. The pain may be sharp, aching or burning in nature.
If the head of the pancreas is enlarged or abnormal then the bile duct may become blocked as it enters the pancreas, this blockage causes a buildup of bile which leads to jaundice (a yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin) which is often associated with dark urine, pale motions and itchy skin.
Weight loss is common with most pancreatic disorders because of the interference with digestion and sugar metabolism. Patients also get a loss of appetite with some pancreatic diseases.
Diabetes can be caused by pancreatic failure; it is usually characterized by weight loss, lethargy, thirst, blurred vision, increased volumes of urine and drowsiness.

Pancreatic Cancer

The type of surgical operation for pancreatic tumors depends on the location of the tumor in the pancreas and on the type of the tumor.
Aggressive surgical treatment is offered for patients with an adenocarcinoma of the pancreas since this tumor is associated with a poor outcome if not completely eradicated by surgery. For tumors located in the head of the pancreas, a Whipple operation is indicated. For tumors in the body and tail of the pancreas, a radical distal pancreatectomy is performed, a procedure in which the spleen and the body and tail of the pancreas are removed. In patients with less aggressive cancers and benign disease, aggressive surgical treatment may be indicated only in selected circumstances. Our philosophy is to emphasize organ preservation where possible.
The types of tumors for which less aggressive surgical treatment is often indicated include premalignant (precancerous) conditions such as cystic tumors of the pancreas, and mucinous ductal hyperplasia (where only the lining of the pancreatic duct is cancerous) and endocrine tumors of the pancreas.
Pancreas preservation surgery procedures offered are:

  • Duodenum preserving pancreatic removal
  • Spleen preserving distal pancreatectomy
  • Central pancreatectomy
  • Wide resection of the ampulla
  • Isolated removal of the third and fourth part of the duodenum

Laparoscopic Pancreatic Surgery

We have pioneered laparoscopic pancreatic surgery. This type of surgery is associated with much less post-surgical pain, rapid recovery from surgery and early discharge from the hospital compared to open surgery. Patients experience rapid return to their pre-surgical condition and early return to work. The types of tumors for which laparoscopic surgical treatment is often indicated include premalignant conditions such as cystic tumors of the pancreas, mucinous ductal hyperplasia (where only the lining of the pancreatic duct is cancerous) and islet cell tumors of the pancreas.
The laparoscopic procedures offered are:

  • Whipple operation
  • Distal pancreatectomy
  • Spleen preserving distal pancreatectomy
  • Enucleating of islet cell tumors
  • Central pancreatectomy