Definition | Reasons for Procedure | Possible Complications | What to Expect | Call Your Doctor

Definition

A Whipple procedure is complex surgery to remove part of the pancreas along with the:

  • Gallbladder
  • Top part of the small intestine called the duodenum
  • Portion of the stomach called the pylorus—When the pylorus is not removed, the procedure is known as a pylorus-preserving Whipple procedure.
  • Surrounding lymph nodes

The Pancreas

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Reasons for Procedure

You may have this surgery to treat cancer of the pancreas, duodenum, or lower part of the bile duct. It may also be done to treat people with long-term inflammation of the pancreas.

Possible Complications

If you are planning to have a Whipple procedure, your doctor will review a list of possible complications. These may include:

  • Long-term difficulty with digestion
  • Chronic abdominal pain
  • Chronic need for pancreatic enzyme supplementation

Complications that occur during surgery may include:

  • Leaking from connections made in the intestines
  • Damage to other organs

Smoking may increase the risk of complications.

Discuss these risks with your doctor before surgery.

What to Expect

Before surgery, your doctor may do the following tests:

  • Physical exam
  • Blood tests
  • Echocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart function
  • Lung function tests to make sure your lungs are strong
  • Imaging tests to locate the cancer and make sure it has not spread

Your doctor may put you on a special diet before the surgery to help your body prepare. If you are not able to eat, you may need to go to the hospital several days before surgery. You will be given glucose and fluids through an IV.

Talk to your doctor about your medicines, herbs, and dietary supplements. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:

  • Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen
  • Blood-thinning drugs
  • Anti-platelet drugs

General anesthesia will be used. It will block any pain and keep you asleep during surgery.

A large incision will be made in the abdomen. The head of the pancreas and the gallbladder, duodenum, and pylorus will be removed. Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed. The remaining pancreas and digestive organs will be reconnected. This will allow the digestive enzymes from the pancreas and stomach contents to flow into the small intestine. In some cases, the pylorus is not removed. The doctor will close the incision with stitches or staples.

You may have many small tubes placed after the procedure. Some will help drain fluid from the surgery site. Another tube may go into your stomach to help prevent nausea and vomiting. A tube may go to your intestines so you can receive nutrition.

After surgery, you will stay in the intensive care unit for several days. This will help the doctors and nurses monitor your progress.

4-8 hours

Pain or soreness during recovery will be managed with pain medicine.

You will need to stay in the hospital until your intestines begin to work again. This usually takes two weeks. You may need to stay longer if there are any problems.

During surgery, your doctor may have placed a jejunostomy tube (j-tube). You will receive nutrients through this tube until your intestines are working normally. After the tube is removed, you can gradually progress to a soft diet, then to regular food.

Other tubes will be removed as you recover.

This surgery will affect the way your body digests food. You may feel bloated or full after eating. You may have nausea and vomiting. Talk to your doctor or dietician to learn how you should eat. You may need to start new medicines to help with digestion and medicines to help control your blood sugar.

Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.

Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

  • Signs of infection, such as fever or chills
  • Redness, swelling, increasing pain, bleeding, or discharge from the incision
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Pain that is not controlled with the medicines you have been given

In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.