Pancreatectomy – Removal of the pancreas

Description removal of the pancreas

The pancreas is an important organ of the abdominal cavity, produce enzymes. Some types of enzymes aid in the digestion of food. Other – help regulate blood sugar.

Pancreatectomy – surgery to remove the pancreas. When it can be removed by performing all or part of the pancreas. In some cases, can be removed by other nearby organs, such as:

• Gallbladder;
• Spleen;
• Part of the stomach or small intestine;
• Nearby lymph nodes.

Reasons for removal of the pancreas

Pancreatectomy often performed to treat pancreatic cancer.

Possible complications of removal of the pancreas

If you plan to pancreatectomy, you need to know about possible complications, which may include:

• Excessive bleeding;
• Infection;
• Adverse reaction to anesthesia (eg, dizziness, lowering blood pressure, breathlessness);
• Leakage of pancreatic enzymes in peritoneal cavity;
• Damage to other organs in the abdominal cavity.

Factors, that may increase the risk of complications:

• Obesity;
• Advanced age;
• Smoking;
• Poor diet;
• Diseases of the heart or lungs.

How is the removal of the pancreas?

Preparation for the procedure

Maybe, We need to go chemotherapy or radiotherapy, to reduce the size of the tumor prior to surgery.

In anticipation of the procedure, the doctor can perform, or assign the following:

• Medical checkup;
• Blood tests;
• Studies with taking pictures of the pancreas, to the spread of cancer to see more detail.

Tell your doctor about taking any medications. A week before surgery you may be asked to stop taking certain drugs:

• Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, Ibuprofen, naproxen);
• Blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin;
• Antiplatelet drugs, such as clopidogrel.

We need to organize a trip for the operation and back home from the hospital.

Anesthesia

When you remove the pancreas is used general anesthesia, which blocks the pain and the patient support in a sleep state during operation. Administered intravenously in the arm or hand.

Procedure removal of the pancreas

The doctor makes an incision in the abdominal cavity. The affected part of the pancreas, as well as other affected organs are removed. The doctor closes the incision sutures or staples.

The abdominal cavity may be arranged drainage tube, through which will flow accumulating at the site of the operation fluid. Additional tubing can be withdrawn from the intestine to the outside of the abdominal cavity enteral nutrition.

If it should be removed only part of the pancreas, your doctor may do the surgery with the use of laparoscopy. A few small incisions introduced laparoscope – device with a camera and light at the end istochnokom, and miniature surgical instruments. This will help the doctor see the organs inside the abdomen and remove the affected part of the pancreas.

Immediately after excision of the pancreas

You will be directed to the recovery room. After the expiry of anesthesia breathing tube can be removed.

How long will the removal of the pancreas?

The operation may take 4-8 hours, depending on the size of the deleted portion of the pancreas.

Removal of the pancreas – Will it hurt?

Pain or soreness during recovery can be reduced with the help of painkillers.

The average time of stay in the hospital after the removal of the pancreas

Maybe, must remain in the hospital from five days to three weeks. Duration depends on the complexity of the operation. The doctor can prolong hospital stays, If there are complications.

Care for a patient after removal of the pancreas

Care in a hospital

The hospital staff will:

• Watching you, for preventing problems;
• Provide medication for pain and nausea;
• After the start of the recovery will remove the drainage tube.

Home Care

After returning home, follow these steps:, to ensure the normal recovery:

• Depending on, how much of the pancreas has been removed, often it fails to produce sufficient amounts of enzymes. In this case, your doctor may give some indication, eg:
  • Follow a special diet;
  • Take enzyme supplements, to help digestion;
  • Take Insulin, to regulate blood sugar;
• Ask the doctor, when it is safe to shower, bathe, or to expose the surgical site to water;
• If you feel comfortable, You can return to daily activities. Do not lift heavy objects and avoid strenuous activity during the 6-8 weeks after surgery;
• Recovery from surgery may take several months. If you had to start taking new medicines or change your diet, this can be difficult to adjust. You can join a support group, to ease the psychological state;
• Follow your doctor's instructions.

Contact your doctor after removal of the pancreas

After discharge from the hospital need to see a doctor, If the following symptoms:

• Signs of infection (eg, fever, chills);
• Redness, edema, increased pain, bleeding or discharge from the incision;
• Nausea and / or vomiting;
• Pain, which does not pass after taking pain medication appointed;
• Any new disease symptoms.