“How serious is pancreas surgery?”
I will have pancreas surgery. How serious is pancreas surgery?
4 Answers
Dr. Curtis Wray
Houston, TX
Pancreas surgery is a major abdominal operation and is challenging due to locations and proximity to other structures. It it located behind the stomach and in close proximity to several key vascular structures. However, surgery with an experienced surgeon and hospital system can lessen the risk associated with pancreas surgery.
Any surgery is serious. Removal of the head of the pancreas (called a Whipple procedure) is generally a larger operation than removal of the tail of the pancreas (called a distal pancreatectomy). Both can be done safely.
This is one the more serious kinds of surgery. The pancreas is deep in the abdomen and closely surrounded by the duodenum, thus removing any part of the pancreas is challenging.
Very serious.
