image

Pancreatic Cancer

Oncologists may recommend pancreatic cancer surgery to determine the cancer stage, treat cancer, or provide relief from symptoms in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (palliative care). Several types of surgeries may be performed depending on the severity and location of pancreatic cancer.

Our Offerings

  • Whipple (Pylorus-preserving Pancreaticoduodenectomy): It is a complex surgery to remove the pancreatic head, the initial section of the small intestine, to treat the bile duct, and the gall bladder while preserving the pyloric ring. Apart from treating pancreatic tumors, the procedure is also used in the bile duct and intestinal cancers.
  • Appleby Operation: Appleby surgery is also known as distal pancreatectomy with celiac artery resection. It is performed for the resection of pancreatic cancer. It is conducted in cases where Whipple procedure is not possible. The patients eligible for this procedure have locally advanced pancreatic cancer that spreads to the neck or the body. The surgery involves the resection of body, neck, and tail of the pancreas, along with the resection of the celiac artery.
  • Distal Pancreatectomy: It is a surgical intervention used to remove the benign or malignant tumors found in the tail or body of the pancreas. The surgeon removes the tail and affected portion of the pancreatic body during this procedure. In addition, as the tail of the pancreas is close to the spleen, the surgeon may also remove the spleen during a distal pancreatectomy. Apart from the tumor, distal pancreatectomy may also be a treatment option for several other pancreatic disorders, such as chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic injury.
  • Laparoscopic and Robotic Pancreatectomy: These are minimally invasive surgeries to remove the part of the pancreas affected by cancer. Laparoscopic pancreatectomy uses a laparoscope to visualize the abnormal cells, while robotic arms are used during robotic pancreatectomy.
  • Pancreas-sparing Tumor Resection: The pancreatic-sparing tumor resection procedure aims to maintain the maximum endocrine and exocrine functioning of the pancreas. The procedures include surgical ampullectomy, uncus resection, tumor enucleation, and central pancreatectomy.
  • Portal Vein Resection and Reconstruction: The portal vein is located close to the head of the pancreas. Thus, cancer affecting the pancreatic head may also involve the portal vein. The surgeon resects the portal vein during pancreatic cancer removal. The vein is then reconstructed through various techniques, such as a venous graft.