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Whipple Procedure in Dhakuria

Whipple

Whipple Procedure in Dhakuria

The Whipple procedure is a surgical procedure used to treat tumours and other conditions in your pancreas, small intestine, and bile ducts. It involves removing the tumours present in the gastrointestinal system, including the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine, the gallbladder, and the bile duct. The Whipple procedure is also referred to as a pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, it is often used to treat pancreatic tumours that haven't spread beyond the pancreas. The Whipple procedure is a complex surgery with severe risks. However, this surgery often saves lives.

At Manipal Hospitals, Dhakuria, our experts will guide patients of all ages throughout their surgical procedure by using advanced technologies with the utmost care.

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FAQ's

Whipple Procedure treats the following conditions:

  • Neuroendocrine tumours of the pancreas
  • Pancreatic cysts
  • Bile duct cancer
  • Duodenal cancer
  • Ampullary cancer
  • Cancer that originates in other organs but spreads to the pancreas

The Whipple procedure is generally recommended for patients whose cancer is localised to the pancreas or the surrounding area, and who are in good health to expect a full recovery.

The Whipple procedure is not considered for patients whose cancers have spread to other organs in the gastrointestinal tract. It’s not usually recommended for frail or weak patients because it’s a complex operation.

Whipple procedure offers several potential benefits for patients with certain types of pancreatic or periampullary cancers:

  • For patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer confined to the head of the pancreas, it can potentially remove all of the cancerous tissue, offering the chance for a cure.
  • The procedure can significantly extend survival in patients whose cancer has not spread beyond the pancreas or nearby structures, compared to those who do not undergo surgery.
  • It can help with pain, jaundice, and digestive issues caused by the tumour.
  • Reducing cancer-related symptoms can lead to a better overall quality of life.

Yes, there are alternatives to the Whipple procedure depending on the stage and location of the cancer, as well as your overall health. These may include palliative surgery to relieve symptoms if cancer can't be fully removed, Chemotherapy and Radiation to shrink tumours or control symptoms, ablation or embolization procedures to target and reduce the tumour, and targeted therapy using drugs to attack specific aspects of cancer cells. Clinical trials may also provide access to novel medicines.

It is necessary for patients to weigh the risks and benefits of a Whipple procedure and to choose the treatment option that meets their goals, either to extend their lives or to improve their quality of life.

Patients typically get discharged from the hospital within a week. However, it may take as long as 2 to 6 months to recover completely. Ultimately, after surgery, the patients should be able to do the things that they were doing before this procedure. Some patients might get back to running marathons after recovering from this surgery. But it usually depends on the health of an individual.

The factors that impact the recovery time include age, having an underlying disease that makes them a bit sicker to start with, and the fact that patients might receive other types of treatment, such as Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy, before or after the surgery. Patients can expect a complete recovery to the quality of life they had before cancer if this procedure is done at the right time on the right patient for the right indication by the right surgeon.

Patients typically get discharged from the hospital within a week. However, it may take as long as 2 to 6 months to recover completely. Ultimately, after surgery, the patients should be able to do the things that they were doing before this procedure. Some patients might get back to running marathons after recovering from this surgery. But it usually depends on the health of an individual.

The factors that impact the recovery time include age, having an underlying disease that makes them a bit sicker to start with, and the fact that patients might receive other types of treatment, such as Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy, before or after the surgery. Patients can expect a complete recovery to the quality of life they had before cancer if this procedure is done at the right time on the right patient for the right indication by the right surgeon.

Patients typically get discharged from the hospital within a week. However, it may take as long as 2 to 6 months to recover completely. Ultimately, after surgery, the patients should be able to do the things that they were doing before this procedure. Some patients might get back to running marathons after recovering from this surgery. But it usually depends on the health of an individual.

The factors that impact the recovery time include age, having an underlying disease that makes them a bit sicker to start with, and the fact that patients might receive other types of treatment, such as Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy, before or after the surgery. Patients can expect a complete recovery to the quality of life they had before cancer if this procedure is done at the right time on the right patient for the right indication by the right surgeon.

  • There may be some changes in their medications, as a few patients will need enzyme replacements and antacids. 

  • Patients may also face many changes in their bowel habits because their gastrointestinal tract is completely rerouted.

  • They could also have long-term nutritional deficiencies, and fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K were not efficiently absorbed. 

  • The duodenum is involved in absorbing minerals such as calcium. Hence, it can cause a calcium deficiency over time when it is removed after surgery.

  • The pancreas helps to regulate blood glucose levels. So, there's a chance of diabetes occurring if it is removed.

The survival rate after the Whipple procedure for pancreatic adenocarcinoma is all about 20% at 5 years after the procedure. Patients who have the spread of cancer into their lymph nodes will have a survival rate of up to 40%. Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who are treated with chemotherapy alone have a survival rate of 5%. Usually, this surgery is curative in patients with benign or low-grade cancers of the pancreas.

Almost all patients with pancreatic cancer must have Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy after the Whipple procedure.

Since the pancreas or part of the pancreas is removed in Whipple's procedure. The pancreas produces insulin, which is required for blood sugar control. When the pancreas is removed from the body, it releases less insulin, and the risk of developing diabetes is present.

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