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ABOUT
The Whipple Procedure
(Pancreatoduodenectomy)
The Whipple procedure is the surgical removal of the head of the pancreas, the duodenum (part of the small intestine), part of the common bile duct, the gallbladder and sometimes a portion of the stomach. This booklet will explain:
- Why you may need to have a Whipple procedure
How the surgery is performedWhat to expect before and after the operation
WHY DO I NEED TO HAVE A WHIPPLE
PROCEDURE DONE?
The Whipple procedure is done when a patient has a suspected or diagnosed cancer of the head of the pancreas, ampulla, duodenum, or distal bile duct.
IS THERE ANY REASON TO AVOID OR DELAY HAVING THIS SURGERY?
Some patients with diagnosed cancer are eligible to have
radiation treatment and chemotherapy before surgery to try to
reduce the size of the tumor.
Other patients may have a tumor that is too large to surgically remove, or it is spread to other areas of the body. In this case, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy are the best forms of treatment available. It is possible that these patients may be able to participate in a clinical trial, testing new types and combinations of treatment.
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