Removal of the pancreas

A loyalty program is available for surgical interventions in the hospital, which makes treatment even more affordable.

Partial or complete removal of the pancreas is one of the stages of cancer treatment. At stages 1-2, radical removal of the tumor is possible, which significantly increases the chances of successful recovery.

If the tumor has significantly spread to neighboring organs and large vessels are affected, a more complex operation is required - pancreaticoduodenal resection, or Whipple's operation. During its implementation, part of the pancreas, stomach, duodenum and other surrounding tissues are removed. In Ukraine, it is performed in only a few clinics.

At «Oxford Medical», operations on the pancreas are performed by a team of surgeons led by a doctor of medical sciences, a surgeon of the highest category, who has undergone extensive training in Germany and has more than 30 years of experience. The clinic has new equipment and all conditions have been created for conducting the most accurate diagnostics and surgical operations of any complexity.

Resection (removal of part of the pancreas) or pancreatectomy (removal of the entire organ) may be prescribed for cancer, benign neoplasms, pseudocysts, chronic pancreatitis, trauma, or developmental anomalies.

Most often, such operations are performed for malignant processes. The possibility, method, and scope of surgical intervention are determined taking into account the stage of the disease. First of all, surgeons check the operability of the tumor using the international NCCN scale.

According to it, the following are distinguished:

1. Resectable tumors – can be completely removed by resection or pancreatectomy.

2. Relative operability – the tumor spreads to large vessels and adjacent tissues, which requires a more complex operation and high skill of the surgeon. In some cases, the tumor may be recognized as inoperable after the start of the operation and examination of the tissues.

3. Unresectable– in this case, the patient may be recommended surgery to improve symptoms and prolong life, or palliative treatment may be prescribed.

Relative operability is a conditional term. If earlier vascular damage was considered an obstacle to surgical treatment, now such patients are successfully operated on in high-tech clinics. The main thing is thorough diagnostics, the availability of modern equipment in the clinic and high professionalism of surgeons.

At «Oxford Medical», operations are performed mainly laparoscopically. Due to minimal damage to healthy tissues, blood loss and the risk of postoperative complications are reduced, and the rehabilitation period is easier and faster.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia. It takes from 2 to 7 hours. First, diagnostic laparoscopy is usually performed - endoscopic equipment with a miniature video camera is inserted into the abdominal cavity through several punctures. This allows you to clearly determine the scope of the work and the sequence of actions, as well as once again confirm the feasibility of the operation.

After the operation is completed, the patient is brought out of anesthesia. If necessary, he may be placed in an intensive care unit for a while to monitor vital signs, equipped with ventilators from the Swiss company Hamilton Medical and other equipment.

When the patient's condition is not a cause for concern, he is transferred to a comfortable single or double room with a private bathroom, air conditioning, TV, and everything necessary.

After the operation, the patient is transferred to a surgical hospital, where he remains under the constant supervision of medical personnel. He is given dressings and drug therapy for successful recovery after the operation and prevention of complications.

The postoperative period lasts about 10 days, but full rehabilitation may take up to 2 months. At this time, it is very important to follow all the doctor's instructions, in particular regarding dietary restrictions and physical activity.

On the first day, food intake is contraindicated, on the second day, water and some drinks are allowed. Nutrition is usually restored on the 3rd day. At the same time, a strict diet is prescribed, which is gradually expanded after some time.

As for physical activity, soon after the operation, doctors advise getting out of bed and moving around independently. The first time this should be done in the presence of clinic specialists. Heavy loads are contraindicated for 2-4 months until complete recovery.

The patient may also be prescribed long-term intake of enzyme preparations, and in the case of complete removal of the pancreas - insulin.

Food intake is contraindicated on the first day. The patient is given special nutrient solutions intravenously.

The next day, he may be allowed to drink water a little, and the next day, eat liquid or semi-liquid foods.

Dietary rules may vary depending on the type of operation, so each patient is given individual recommendations.

The rules common to all are:

• eating easily digestible foods in small portions 5-6 times a day;

• preparing dishes by boiling, stewing or baking;

• choosing protein foods and limiting fatty and high-carbohydrate foods;

• avoiding fresh bread and pastries, seasonings, spicy foods, smoked foods, marinades, chocolate and other sweets, dairy products.

In the first weeks, the diet is stricter, but later, if you feel well, the diet can be expanded.

For normal digestion, most patients are prescribed enzyme preparations.

Both resection and removal of the pancreas are quite complex operations. To reduce the risk of complications, the patient undergoes a thorough examination and special preparation beforehand. It may include the withdrawal of certain medications, diet, etc.

As a result of the operation, there is a risk of:

• internal bleeding;

• development of postoperative infection;

• digestive disorders;

• the appearance of pain and discomfort in the stomach area;

• gastroparesis (paralysis of the stomach);

• the appearance of a pancreatic fistula;

• development of diabetes mellitus, etc.

The development of complications is possible both in the first days after the operation and after a few weeks. If you experience any complaints, you should immediately consult a doctor.

At «Oxford Medical» operations are performed by highly qualified surgeons using new equipment. The use of modern surgical techniques, individual consumables and strict adherence to protocols significantly reduce the risks of surgical and postoperative complications.

«Oxford Medical» has a high-tech surgery department. It is equipped with new equipment from leading manufacturers of medical equipment. This allows for the most accurate diagnosis and detection of neoplasms from 1 mm in size, as well as complex minimally invasive operations.

Resection and removal of the pancreas at «Oxford Medical» is performed by a team of experienced surgeons under the leadership of a Doctor of Medical Sciences, a surgeon of the highest category with 30 years of experience. Thanks to their knowledge and skills, as well as modern technical equipment, the clinic performs one of the most complex operations on the pancreas - pancreatoduodenal resection, or Whipple's operation. Recently, it was performed only abroad.

Various types of operations are performed on the pancreas, so only a surgeon can tell the patient the exact cost after studying the results of the examinations.

The price may vary depending on:

• complexity of the operation - partial, total pancreatectomy or pancreaticoduodenal resection;

• type of surgical intervention - laparoscopic surgery or open access.

Find out the cost of surgical treatment at «Oxford Medical» you can here.

To make an appointment with a surgeon at the «Oxford Medical» clinic, call our contact center or leave a request on the website.