What is distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy?

What is distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy?

A distal pancreatectomy is usually performed when a patient has a tumour in the body or tail (‘thin end’) of the pancreas. This procedure involves having the tail (thin end) and body of your pancreas removed, leaving the head of the pancreas intact.

What is a pancreatectomy procedure?

A total pancreatectomy is a surgery to remove your whole pancreas. Your pancreas is located in the back of your abdomen (belly), behind your stomach and just above your small intestine (see Figure 1).

What is open distal pancreatectomy?

Open approach. The patient is placed in the supine position. A bilateral subcostal, straight transverse incision or midline incision can be used. The planning of the operation can be distal pancreatectomy with en bloc splenectomy or spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with or without splenic vessels preservation.

Why do a distal pancreatectomy?

Distal pancreatectomy is a surgical procedure wherein the distal portion of the pancreas (the body and tail) is removed. The procedure is mainly used to treat pancreatic cancer but may also be used to remove benign tumors and cysts and treat pancreatitis.

How long does a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy take?

During your surgery, your surgeon will explore your pancreas and spleen and decide how much to remove. The part of your pancreas that remains will be closed with sutures (stitches) or staples (see Figure 2). Your surgery will take 2 to 4 hours.

What are the side effects of a pancreatectomy?

Increased or foul smelling drainage from your incision site. Increased pain or redness at your incision site. Pain, nausea, or vomiting that is increased or not controlled by your current medication. Diarrhea or constipation that is not controlled.

What is recovery time for distal pancreatectomy?

Most people stay in the hospital for 3 to 4 days after a distal pancreatectomy. When you’re taken to your hospital room, you’ll meet one of the nurses who will care for you while you’re in the hospital. Soon after you arrive in your room, your nurse will help you out of bed and into your chair.

What can you eat after distal pancreatectomy?

Long-term post-surgical nutritional guidelines: Consume fat (as tolerated) from healthy sources such as olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, nuts, seeds and avocados. Aim for at least 2.5 cups of fruits and vegetables per day. Take pancreatic enzymes if needed. Take acid reducing medications as prescribed.

Can you drink alcohol after distal pancreatectomy?

Try to stop drinking alcohol once your surgery is planned. If you develop a headache, nausea, increased anxiety, or cannot sleep after you stop drinking, tell your doctor right away. These are early signs of alcohol withdrawal and can be treated.

How long is recovery from pancreas surgery?

As with all major operations, recovering from a pancreatic surgery takes time. Full recovery requires an average of two months. Depending on the type of operation you undergo, you will be admitted into the hospital for 4 days to 2 weeks so that your medical team can monitor any post-operative complications.

What is the removal of the pancreas?

[edit on Wikidata] In medicine, a pancreatectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the pancreas. Several types of pancreatectomy exist, including pancreaticoduodenectomy ( Whipple procedure ), distal pancreatectomy, segmental pancreatectomy, and total pancreatectomy.

What is distal pancreas?

A distal pancreatectomy is removal of the body and tail of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ about the size of a hand located in the abdomen in the vicinity of the stomach, intestines, and other organs. It lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine. The pancreas has two critical functions in the body:

What is pancreas surgery?

Pancreatic surgery refers to a variety of surgical procedures that pertain to the pancreas, a gland in the body located behind the stomach and just beneath the liver. While it is most often performed to remove a pancreatic tumor, it can also be performed to remove a benign mass or pancreatic cyst.