Pancreatic Surgery

The pancreas is an important organ in the human body performing various physiological functions. The functions are generally related to digestion and endocrine system. One of the most important functions of the pancreas is the secretion of insulin that regulates the level of glucose in the blood. Failure in release insulin results in diabetes. Pancreatic surgery is the procedure conducted to treat the disease involving pancreas.

What Are The Conditions Requiring Pancreatic Surgery?

Pancreatic surgery is done in cases when the patient does not show any significant improvement with non-invasive methods such as medications. Following are some of the conditions that may require pancreatic surgery:

• Acute Pancreatitis
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Pancreatic cyst and pseudocyst
• Pancreatic cancer

Various types of pancreatic surgeries are done depending upon the disease. These include Pancreatic surgical procedures include Minimally invasive pancreatic resections, Spleen-preserving pancreatectomy, Enucleation of pancreatic tumor and the "Whipple" procedure.

What Is Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is the condition characterized by inflammation in the pancreas. The most common cause of pancreatitis is the activation of enzymes before releasing into the intestine. These activated enzymes attack the pancreatic cells causing inflammation. Pancreatitis is divided into acute and chronic pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation and is managed through the right treatment. The untreated condition may lead to life-threatening complications. Chronic pancreatitis results in long-lasting inflammation in the pancreas. Causes of chronic pancreatitis include acute pancreatitis and heavy alcohol drinking. Patient with pancreatitis experiences nausea and vomiting, abdominal tenderness, fever, and increased heart rate.

What Are The Treatment Options For Pancreatitis?

During the initial phase of the disease, fasting is done to provide ample time for pancreas to recover. Pain is managed through pain-relievers and intravenous fluid is administered to prevent dehydration. If pancreatitis is caused due to the narrowed or blocked bile duct, the procedure is required to clear the path. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is the diagnostic method used to evaluate the health of pancreas and bile ducts. If pancreatitis is caused due to diseased tissue in pancreas, surgery is required to remove the tissue.

What Is Pancreatic Pseudocyst?

Pancreatic pseudocyst is formed as a complication of acute and chronic pancreatitis. In children, pancreatic pseudocyst is formed as a result of trauma in the abdominal region. Pancreatic pseudocyst is the collection of blood, necrotic tissue and various pancreatic enzymes in a sac. A patient suffering from this condition experiences indigestion and discomfort. Complications include hemorrhage, obstruction, and rupture of the cyst.

What Are The Treatment Options For Pancreatic Pseudocyst?

Non-surgical treatment of pancreatic pseudocyst includes monitoring of the cyst, drainage of pseudocyst through endoscopy and external drainage with the help of a catheter. When these treatment options are not effective, surgical interventions is the next choice. Surgeries related to the treatment of pancreatic pseudocyst include Cystogastrostomy in which cyst is drained into the stomach by making the connection between stomach wall and cyst, Cystduodenostomy which involves draining of cyst into the duodenum, and Cystjejunostomy which is a surgical procedure to drain the fluid of cyst into the small intestine. These surgical procedures can be done laparoscopically ( Key hole surgery) also.

What Is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is the presence of cancerous cells in the pancreas. As the symptoms of pancreatic cancer appear at the later stage, aggressive treatment is required to manage the disease.

How Pancreatic Cancer Can Be Treated?

Pancreatic cancer can be treated through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The main surgical procedures for pancreatic cancer are Whipple procedure, distal pancreatectomy, and total pancreatectomy.