Types of Pancreatic Cancer Surgery

Types of Pancreatic Cancer Surgery

There are several different types of pancreatic cancer surgery. These include the Whipple procedure, Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, and palliative bypass surgery. Before deciding which surgery is best for you, you must know a bit about each type of surgery. This article will provide some basic information about each type of surgery. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of these procedures.

Whipple procedure

If you have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you may qualify for the Whipple procedure. This surgery removes the pancreas and most of the duodenum, gallbladder, and associated lymph nodes. It can extend your life and help you cure the disease. The procedure is done under general anaesthesia. Once you're cleared for it, the surgery can be performed within two weeks. Read more about this surgery and how it works below.

The Whipple procedure is available to about 20% of pancreatic cancer patients. This procedure is limited to pancreatic cancer patients with tumours that do not spread outside the head of the pancreas or nearby major blood vessels. This procedure is less invasive than other surgeries so you can expect less blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker recovery. Because of its minimally invasive nature, it requires multiple small incisions.

Distal pancreatectomy

A distal or total pancreatectomy is a type of pancreatic cancer surgery that removes the entire pancreas. This surgery requires three abdominal incisions: the first is made for the camera, while the second is made for the surgeon's hand. The remaining part of the pancreas is closed off with sutures or staples. The tail of the pancreas lies within the spleen. Because it has blood vessels feeding it, removal of this organ often involves the removal of the spleen.

Open distal pancreatectomy is more common for ductal adenocarcinoma, but this type of cancer is not entirely unheard of. According to DIPLOMA, a pan-European propensity-score matched study, and open distal pancreatectomy is more common for patients with ductal adenocarcinoma.

Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy

In patients with a suspected diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduostomy is the most common visceral surgery. It involves removing the pancreatic head and the first 15 cm of the jejunum while preserving the antrum. It is a complex surgery and involves several steps, including exploration, dissection, and reconstruction.

During this procedure, part of the pancreas is removed, along with the gallbladder and bile duct, and the remainder of the pancreas is joined to the small intestine. After the surgery, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy may be necessary to digest food. The risk of developing diabetes after the surgery is unknown. However, a high rate of cancer-related death and disease-related mortality was observed.

Palliative bypass surgery

A palliative bypass surgery for the pancreatic tumour is a standard treatment option for patients with pancreatic cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, this procedure does not cure cancer. Instead, it is performed to relieve symptoms and prevent the spread of the disease. However, some patients are not good candidates for this surgery. A patient with this cancer should discuss the pros and cons with a doctor before surgery.

Surgery offers the best chance of controlling the disease long-term, particularly in cases where the tumour is resectable. About fifteen per cent of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma have resectable tumours, meaning that cancer has not spread beyond the pancreas or significant arteries. Additionally, qualified surgeons can perform vein resection, which typically adds 60-90 minutes to the general surgery.