Is Whipple a high risk surgery?

The Whipple procedure is a complex operation with a high risk of major complications. It takes a lot of skill and experience to perform the surgery and manage any complications.

What are the chances of surviving a Whipple surgery?

Overall, the five-year survival rate after a Whipple procedure is about 20 to 25%. Even if the procedure successfully removes the visible tumor, it's possible that some cancer cells have already spread elsewhere in the body, where they can form new tumors and eventually cause death.

How many hours does Whipple surgery take?

In some cases, the surgeon may remove the body of the pancreas, the entire duodenum and a portion of the stomach. On average, the surgery takes six hours to complete. Most patients stay in the hospital for one to two weeks following the Whipple procedure.

Why is Whipple surgery so difficult?

Whipple procedures are complicated because they involve so many different organs, but that's not the only reason. “The pancreas is located in a very difficult spot, deep in the central part of the abdomen,” Reddy explained.

Can you live a normal life after Whipple surgery?

But, for most people, it takes as long as 2 to 6 months to fully get back to a normal quality of life. Ultimately, patients should be able to do anything after surgery that they could do before. Some patients get back to running marathons after a Whipple procedure.

How I Do It Video: Modified Whipple procedure for Pancreatic Head Carcinoma Greece

Is there an alternative to the Whipple procedure?

Based on this experience, I believe that the duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection and the Frey procedure both offer better alternatives than the Whipple operation for patients with benign disease.

How painful is Whipple surgery?

There is no doubt that the Whipple procedure is a painful operation. This is largely due to the extent of the organs being removed or rearranged and the proximity of the pancreas to nerves as they exit the spine at the back of the abdomen during the operation.

How long are you in the hospital after Whipple surgery?

Most people stay in the hospital for 6 days after having a Whipple procedure. When you're taken to your hospital room, you'll meet one of the nurses who will care for you while you're in the hospital. Soon after you arrive in your room, your nurse will help you out of bed and into your chair.

What is the best hospital to have the Whipple surgery?

Mayo Clinic surgeons are specially trained to provide you with the best care, and they perform over 450 Whipple procedures and related surgeries each year.

How serious is pancreatic surgery?

It carries a relatively high risk of complications that can be life threatening. When the operation is done in small hospitals or by doctors with less experience, as many as 15% of patients may die as a result of surgical complications.

Did Steve Jobs have a Whipple?

Many can be treated medically for months and years and do quite well and lead normal lives to the last." Jobs is said to have undergone the Whipple procedure. This is the preferred type of surgery when an islet cell tumor is on the head of the pancreas.

What are the long term effects of Whipple surgery?

But a Whipple procedure is a very complex operation that often causes major changes to the digestive system. This can translate into some serious long-term effects, including abdominal discomfort, weight loss, digestive problems, and chronic fatigue.

Is Whipple procedure open or laparoscopic?

The laparoscopic Whipple procedure is performed through small incisions in the abdominal wall. A laparoscope, a long thin tube with a lighted camera at its tip, is inserted through one incision.

How do you eat after Whipple surgery?

Eat small, frequent meals (5 to 6 meals per day). After surgery, you will feel full quickly and will be able to eat only small amounts at a time. Stop eating when you feel full. Eat slowly and chew your foods very well.

What are the complications of Whipple procedure?

Is a Whipple curative?

The Whipple procedure is considered the only curative treatment for pancreatic cancer. 1 In addition, there are several other conditions of the pancreas, duodenum, and bile ducts that may warrant having a Whipple procedure.

Can you drink coffee after Whipple surgery?

The Whipple patient can enjoy coffee and tea but it should be limited to no more than 4 cups per day. Studies have shown that beverages containing caffeine cause dehydration when more than 4 cups are consumed. Whipple patients may feel full faster than they did before surgery.

What is the life expectancy after pancreatic surgery?

Up to 10 percent of patients who receive an early diagnosis become disease-free after treatment. For patients who are diagnosed before the tumor grows much or spreads, the average pancreatic cancer survival time is 3 to 3.5 years.

How much weight do you lose after Whipple surgery?

It is normal to lose up to 5-10% of your body weight after having a Whipple procedure.

How long is chemo after Whipple surgery?

You should be given time to recover properly from your surgery before starting chemotherapy, as you need to be well enough for six months of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may start up to 12 weeks after your surgery.

Is a 4 cm pancreatic tumor big?

Stage IB: A tumor larger than 2 cm is in the pancreas. It has not spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body (T2, N0, M0). Stage IIA: The tumor is larger than 4 cm and extends beyond the pancreas. It has not spread to nearby arteries, veins, lymph nodes, or other parts of the body (T3, N0, M0).

Are all Whipple procedures the same?

There are two common types of Whipple procedures - the conventional Whipple and the pylorus-sparing Whipple. The conventional Whipple involves removal of the head of the pancreas, the duodenum, and a portion of the stomach, as well as the gallbladder and a portion of the bile duct.

What is the most common type of pancreatic surgery?

The most common surgery is known as the Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy). The Whipple is performed on patients whose tumor is confined to the head of their pancreas.

Why would someone need a Whipple procedure?

The Whipple procedure is used to treat tumors and other disorders of the pancreas, intestine and bile duct. It is the most often used surgery to treat pancreatic cancer that's confined to the head of the pancreas.

What hospital is best for pancreas?

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., ranks No. 1 for digestive disorders in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked among the Best Hospitals for digestive disorders by U.S. News & World Report.