What is Whipple Surgery?
The treatments used to treat your cancer will depend on a number of factors. One of the treatments that may be suggested to you is the whipple procedure, also called a pancreaticoduodenectomy. Whipple surgery is the most commonly performed operation to treat pancreatic cancer. During the whipple procedure, the head, and sometimes the body of the pancreas is removed, along with the duodenum and gallbladder, part of the jejunum, stomach bile duct and lymph nodes near the pancreas. The remaining bile duct is then attached to the small intestine to allow bile from the liver to continue entering the small intestine. Whipple procedure surgery is a complicated process that requires a great deal of skill to perform. Because of the enzymes the pancreas releases, it is possible that it could digest itself, along with nearby tissues, if these enzymes were to leak out after surgery. Possible complications that patients may experience after this procedure is performed include: • Infections • Bleedi
