What is a frequent complication of Whipple surgery?

The most common complication is post-op leaking of pancreatic juices from the site of the incision. A drain may need to be inserted through the skin to allow for the juices to drain, perhaps for several weeks. A rare but severe complication after surgery is bleeding from the gastroduodenal artery.


What are the complications of Whipple procedure?

Risks
  • Bleeding at the surgical areas.
  • Infection of the incision area or inside your abdomen.
  • Delayed emptying of the stomach, which may make it difficult to eat or to keep food down temporarily.
  • Leakage from the pancreas or bile duct connection.
  • Diabetes, temporary or permanent.


What is a frequent complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy?

Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is one of the most difficult and complex surgery that carries a high rate of major complications, including delayed gastric emptying (DGE), pancreatic fistula, bleeding, intra-abdominal collection, and pulmonary complications.


Why is the Whipple surgery complicated?

Whipple procedures are complicated because they involve so many different organs, but that's not the only reason. “The pancreas is located in a very difficult spot, deep in the central part of the abdomen,” Reddy explained.

What to expect after Whipple surgery?

You'll have pain for a while after your Whipple procedure. During your hospital stay, your care team will manage your pain and watch for signs of infection or other complications. You'll be on a clear, liquid diet for a few days until your healthcare providers feel that you're ready to introduce solid foods.


WHIPPLE PROCEDURE: RECOVERY, RISKS, and COMPLICATIONS



What is the average lifespan after a Whipple surgery?

Those who undergo a successful Whipple procedure may have a five-year survival rate of up to 25%.

How long does it take for your pancreas to heal after Whipple surgery?

Complete recovery from the Whipple procedure can take up to two months. But in rare cases, it can take up to six months to recover. Patients usually need to take a daily vitamin with iron and a daily medication to reduce stomach acid. Some patients temporarily have trouble regulating their blood sugar levels.

What can you not do after Whipple surgery?

Take the pain medications whenever you need it and as instructed by your doctor. Do not do any heavy lifting or straining for at least 6 weeks after surgery. Do not lift anything over 10 pounds or 5 kg. Do not drive if you are taking pain medication because these medications can cause you be sleepy or drowsy.


Is chemo worth it after Whipple surgery?

You should be offered chemotherapy after surgery to remove the cancer (such as the Whipple's procedure), to try to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back. There are three types of chemotherapy that may be used: FOLFIRINOX. gemcitabine with capecitabine (GemCap)

What diet is best after Whipple surgery?

Eat a variety of foods. To help with healing, eat foods high in protein, such as tender meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs, peanut butter, and beans. Drink supplements such as Boost, Ensure, or Carnation Instant Breakfast. At first, you may have problems tolerating fatty foods.

Can you get pancreatitis after Whipple surgery?

In severe cases, an abdominal CT would be needed to make the diagnosis of postoperative pancreatitis. Post-Whipple's pancreatitis can have significant prognostic implications, including a higher risk of pancreatic fistula and a higher risk of delayed gastric emptying.


What type of diabetes comes after Whipple?

If you have had surgery to remove pancreatic cancer, you will have had part of your pancreas removed and may have type 3c diabetes.

How common is diabetes after Whipple?

The incidence of preoperative diabetes was 12 per cent in patients undergoing the Whipple procedure and 17 per cent in the DP cohort. Thus, the overall incidence of diabetes after Whipple procedure was 54 and 49 per cent in the DP group.

What is the main complication of pancreatectomy?

Pancreatic fistula is one of the most common complications following distal pancreatectomy, and results in a poor prognosis due to the development of intra-abdominal abscesses, intra-abdominal bleeding, wound infection and sepsis.


Do you need insulin after a Whipple?

Your pancreas makes insulin and controls your blood sugar. Since part or all of your pancreas is removed during the Whipple procedure, there is a chance that you may develop diabetes. Patients who have diabetes before surgery will need to adjust their diabetes medicine after surgery.

What foods should you avoid after Whipple surgery?

Avoid fried, greasy and fatty foods. These foods are hard to digest with an altered pancreas. Choose baked, broiled, or grilled foods instead. After a Whipple procedure, it is often recommended to limit fat intake to no more than 40-60 grams per day.

How many rounds of chemo after Whipple surgery?

Conclusion. Adjuvant chemotherapy improves overall and disease-free survival after curative pancreatic resection, but only a small fraction of patients completes the recommended 6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy.


What is dumping syndrome after Whipple?

Dumping syndrome is when food moves too fast from the stomach into the small intestine. It may also be called rapid gastric emptying. Dumping syndrome is more common after a Whipple procedure than a modified Whipple procedure.

What happens if you don't take Creon after a Whipple surgery?

It can be difficult taking the creon capsules with every meal, but if you do not take them your symptoms will continue and may become worse. If you stop taking them for a long time you will not absorb some important vitamins that your body needs (particularly vitamins A, D, E and K) and you may lose weight.

Is Whipple surgery high risk?

The Whipple procedure is an extensive surgery that has a high risk of complications. About 50 percent of people have complications. The most common are: pancreatic fistula (leakage of pancreatic secretions)


What is the best hospital to have the Whipple surgery?

Mayo Clinic surgeons are specially trained to provide you with the best care, and they perform over 450 Whipple procedures and related surgeries each year. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Why is pancreatic surgery so painful?

There is no doubt that the Whipple procedure is a painful operation. This is largely due to the extent of the organs being removed or rearranged and the proximity of the pancreas to nerves as they exit the spine at the back of the abdomen during the operation.

How much stomach is removed in Whipple surgery?

As originally described, the operation includes removing the lower third of the stomach, the entire duodenum, the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, and the lower part of the duct that carries bile from the liver to the duodenum (Figure 1).


Can you live a full life after Whipple surgery?

If a Whipple procedure is done on the right patient for the right reason at the right time by the right surgeon, patients can expect a full return to the quality of life they had before cancer.

How do you feel after a Whipple?

Your First Days at Home After a Whipple Procedure

You may feel sore, tired, and weak during the first days at home after surgery. You should take any pain medication as prescribed and follow your surgeon's written discharge instructions.