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Best Whipple Surgery Hospitals in Broadway

Whipple Procedure

Best Whipple Surgery Hospital in Broadway

The Whipple Procedure, often referred to as Pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a complex abdominal surgery primarily used to treat pancreatic cancers and other conditions affecting the pancreas, bile ducts, and small intestine. This procedure is preferred for treating pancreatic cancer that has not spread. Since approximately 75% of pancreatic cancer originates in the head of the pancreas, Whipple’s procedure enables the resection of this specific area.

During pancreatic cancer treatment, the main goal of Whipple’s procedure is to remove cancer and prevent its spread to other organs. The surgery involves the removal of the head of the pancreas, duodenum, part of the bile duct, and gallbladder. In some cases, a part of your stomach and the surrounding lymph nodes may also be excised.

The surgery itself is extensive, lasting 4 to 12 hours. It carries significant risks both during and after the procedure. Despite the risks, for patients with pancreatic cancer confined within the organ, the Whipple procedure offers a potential cure and can significantly improve survivability. 

Consult our Best Whipple Surgery Hospital in Broadway if you need treatment and care for pancreatic cancers.

Manipal Hospitals Broadway offers Whipple procedure or surgery at the best cost. Visit our website to know more and book an appointment with the specialists.

FAQ's

The medical conditions that can be treated with this approach are:

  • Cancers in the pancreas, bile duct, duodenum, or ampullary

  • Cysts within the pancreas

  • Neuroendocrine tumours

  • Pancreatitis

  • Trauma to the pancreas or small intestine

  • Cancers that originated elsewhere and have spread to the pancreas and surrounding structure

The Whipple procedure is an ideal treatment option for patients with cancer or a tumour confined to the pancreas or a small area close to it. The health status of a patient plays a major role in the successful outcome of the procedure. Therefore, patients who are frail or not strong enough to make a full recovery are not recommended for this procedure.
 

You will meet with the surgeon for a thorough evaluation and to discuss the possible risks associated with the surgery. In cases of cancer, sometimes your doctor may choose to administer Chemotherapy before the Whipple procedure.
 

Before the operation, you will be administered anaesthesia intravenously. 

The Whipple procedure may be performed using any of the following techniques:

  • Open method: This is a traditional method of surgery where a large incision is made on the patient’s belly. The patients are able to recover within 7-10 days following surgery.

  • Minimally invasive surgery: Multiple smaller incisions are made on the patient’s belly to carefully remove the organs. As a result, the patients may have a shorter hospital stay and reduced pain and scarring.

An abdominal drain and a tube to drain the bladder will be placed during the surgery. These drains are removed before the patient gets discharged from the hospital
 

You experience some pain at the incision site after surgery. Doctors advise you to resume eating and drinking through your mouth several days after surgery. Initially, your stomach may feel bloated, but the symptoms resolve gradually. Few patients will need medication to help with digestion. Additionally, your appetite reduces and takes several weeks to improve.
 

Most patients take about 2 to 6 months to fully recover from a Whipple procedure. Soon after the procedure, you will be encouraged to get out of bed and begin walking. Avoid lifting heavy objects and performing strenuous activities for two months after surgery.

However, the recovery may vary from individual to individual and depends on the health status of the patient, the presence of an underlying medical condition, or whether the patient requires additional treatment.

If the Whipple procedure is performed at the right time, patients may expect full recovery and return to the quality of life they had before the cancer diagnosis.
 

You will be advised by the dietician to consume a bland diet for the first several weeks following surgery. Additionally, you have to take the following medications:

  • You may be prescribed nutritional supplements to help with the recovery process. 

  • In some patients, enzyme pills may be necessary to be taken with pills to replace the function of the pancreas. 

  • You must take vitamins with iron daily to reduce your stomach acids.

  • Depending on your blood glucose levels, you may be prescribed diabetes medication or insulin therapy.

Before discharge, you will be provided with a detailed dietary plan to be followed.

Whipple procedure helps prevent the spread of the cancer or cures the individual from the disease. However, in some patients, when a cure is not possible, the procedure helps relieve symptoms or clear blockage of the bile ducts.
 

The Whipple procedure is complex. Hence, complications are bound to occur, but many patients survive the procedure. Some of the complications are:

  • Bleeding

  • Infection

  • Clots

  • Pneumonia

  • Heart problems

Our expert surgeons at Manipal Hospitals are well-experienced in performing Whipple procedures with minimal complications.
 

You may expect the following changes after your Whipple procedure:

  • You may have to consume smaller meals more frequently throughout the day instead of a larger meal

  • You will have to take antacids and enzyme replacement medications

  • You may experience some changes in your bowel habits

  • You may deal with nutritional deficiencies, as fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K may not be absorbed properly

  • Some patients develop calcium deficiency and diabetes following surgery

Alternative treatments that can be administered to pancreatic patients are Radiotherapy or Chemotherapy. These treatments can be combined with the Whipple procedure or given as standalone treatments. Chemotherapy is given for a duration of 6 months to shrink the size of the tumour and treat the entire body. However, they may not yield as effective outcomes as the Whipple Procedure when given to patients as standalone treatments.

Initially, you will have to follow up within 2 to 3 weeks after your surgery. For the first two years, you need to get checked every 3 to 4 months. After 2 years, you can have a follow-up every 6 months until 5 years. 
 

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