What you need to know about:

Pancreatectomy

Fast Fact

83%

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Average Cost:

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Recovery Period:

3-10 days in hospital

Permanence:

Not specified

177

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Time it takes:

4-8 hours

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Anesthetize:

General Anesthesia

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Overview of

Pancreatectomy

in Thailand

Pancreatectomy is surgery to remove a part of or all of the pancreas. The pancreas is located in the abdomen, behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It produces juices that help digest food and hormones like insulin and glucagon that maintain optimal blood sugar levels and help the body use and store energy from food. There are several pancreatectomy procedures depending on the condition used to treat. The most common surgical procedure involving removal of a portion of the pancreas is called a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) in which the surgeon removes cancerous parts of the pancreas, duodenum, common bile duct, and if required, portions of the stomach. A distal pancreatectomy is removal of the body and tail of the pancreas.

Goals of

Pancreatectomy

A pancreatectomy is used to treat a number of conditions involving the pancreas including: Acinar cell tumors Adenocarcinoma (85% of all cancers in pancrea) Cancer of the ampulla of Vater (ampullary cancer) Cancer of the distal (lower portion) of the bile duct. Cystadenocarcinoma Cystadenoma (mucinous/serous) Duodenal cancer Inflammation Islet cell tumors (neuroendocrine tumors) Lymphoma Necrotising pancreatitis Neoplasms Papillary cystic neoplasms Severe chronic pancreatitis Severe hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia Severe Trauma

Price of

Pancreatectomy

Average Cost

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Pros and cons of

Pancreatectomy

Pros

The procedure is performed to treat the disorders of the pancreas, including: Inflammation, such as acute or chronic pancreatitis, that causes pain. Injury to the pancreas. Adenocarcinoma, cystadenoma, cystadenocarcinoma, papillary cystic neoplasms, lymphoma, and acinar cell tumors. Severe hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia due to insulinoma.

Cons

In the case of a total pancreatectomy, the patient will need to take enzymes that help in the digestion of food. The patient may also suffer from diabetes, as insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar is also produced by the pancreas.

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How it works:

Pancreatectomy

There are many methods used for pancreatectomy and your doctor will determine which is best suited for you and your condition. -A total pancreatectomy is the removal of the entire pancreas, part of the stomach and small intestine, common bile duct, gallbladder, spleen and lymph nodes. -A distal pancreatectomy is the removal of the middle and tail part of the pancreas, leaving behind the top. It usually includes removing the spleen -A distal pancreatectomy with splenic preservation is the removal of the middle and tail part of the pancreas while leaving the head. The doctor will leave the spleen. This procedure is used for non-cancerous growths or tumors. -A pancreaticoduodenectomy (more commonly known as the Whipple procedure) is the removal of the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine (duodenum), the gallbladder and the bile duct. Lymph nodes around growth are also usually removed. The Whipple procedure is used to treat tumors and other disorders of the pancreas, intestine and bile duct.

Preparation before

Pancreatectomy

Pre - treatment

You will undergo a thorough medical evaluation to assess your readiness for surgery. This usually includes ultrasound, x-ray, computed tomography (CT) scans, and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP), which visualizes the bile ducts and pancreas. You may also undergo an angiography to assess blood flow to the pancreas as well as a needle biopsy of the tumor to test whether it is benign or malignant. All these tests help the doctor diagnose your condition correctly to develop the most appropriate treatment plan. Most patients with pancreatic cancer have poor appetites and become malnourished, requiring intravenous nutrition before the surgery. Some may need to undergo chemotherapy and/or radiation before or after the procedure for the best results from the surgery. (Some patients may not be suitable candidates for surgery, but the doctor may reconsider this if the patient responds well to chemotherapy and/or radiation.) Sometimes radiation may be done during surgery to improve survival rates, but it is currently not widely done. For patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy, where the spleen is also removed, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics before the surgery to decrease the chances of infection.

Recovery after

Pancreatectomy

Post - treatment

1. Keep all follow-up appointments with the doctor. Patients usually see their doctor approximately 1-2 weeks after the surgery to check on recovery and receive the results of any biopsies done. The doctor will go over any additional treatment options available, such as chemotherapy or radiation. The patient will be referred on to a medical oncologist or radiation oncologist as appropriate. 2. After treatment, patients must be monitored for a long time. Initially blood tests and x-rays are done every 2-3 months for the first couple of years. Then visits are 6 months apart until 5 years are completed. After that follow-up appointments are once a year. 3. Get at least 6-8 hours of sleep each day and exercise moderately starting 2-4 weeks after surgery, such as by walking around the house for 15-30 minutes each day. 4. Avoid lifting heavy objects because this can impact the surgical incision due to increased pressure within the abdomen. Certain intense activities can be started approximately 3 months after surgery. Be sure to check with the doctor first. 5. Follow all instructions of the medical team after being discharged from the hospital and see the doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: · Fever. · Pain at the surgical site that does not improve after rest or medication. · Incision is red, swollen, or leaking discharge. · Uncontrolled bleeding from the incision. · Pain or tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing, and symptoms worsening with time. · Inability to eat, weight loss. · Yellowing of skin or eyes.

Risks & side effects

· The most common complication of surgery is leakage where the organs are sutured to each other, infection, and excessive bleeding. These complications can usually be treated by placing drains and taking antibiotics. In some cases, additional surgery may be required. · After surgery, most patients have a difficult time eating or feel nauseated or vomit or experience a burning or tightness in the chest due to the stomach temporarily not functioning. The digestive system will return to normal in a few weeks or can take a few months. The doctor cannot predict when the stomach will return to normal and the patient will have to continue to experiment until their eating returns to normal. · Some patients may need to change their eating habits permanently to prevent diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain. · If the stomach does not return to normal, the patient may require tube feeding to receive adequate nutrition. Generally, during the recovery period from a pancreatectomy, patients should eat small meals several times a day, ideally every 3 hours. Each meal should consist of protein to maintain muscle mass. Drink plenty of water between meals to prevent dehydration.

FAQs:

Pancreatectomy

What are the recommendations for travel for this procedure?

If you are taking any blood-thinning medication/anticoagulant, please let your doctor know as some may need to be stopped before you travel for the procedure. Travelers to Thailand should plan to stay in the country for at least two to five days after the procedure, depending on their condition after surgery, or for the entire duration of treatment. If you plan to return home after the procedure, please speak to your doctor before making travel arrangements. There are no restrictions for air travel. During your follow-up appointment your medical team will assess your health and your incision and you will receive documents detailing your medical and treatment history and your "Fit to Fly" certificate (if needed).

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