At Penn Medicine, you're under the care of world-class hepatobiliary (liver, pancreas and bile duct) surgeons. We excel at performing the most complex pancreas surgeries, including the Whipple surgery. We consistently deliver great outcomes for even the most difficult-to-treat benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancer) pancreas issues.
Pancreas Surgery: Why Choose Penn Medicine?
As a high-volume center for pancreas surgery, our patients come to us because they understand we're the best at what we do. We're passionate about providing the best possible care and maximizing your quality of life.
Penn's pancreas surgery program features:
- Global recognition: Our team includes some of the world's leading experts. Members of our team have led multiple national and international surgical societies. Our surgeons have published noteworthy research on pancreas surgery advances that improve patient care. Meet our GI surgery team.
- High volumes, excellent outcomes: Penn performs roughly 180 major pancreatic surgeries (including 100 Whipple procedures) each year. Only a handful of hospitals in the US perform higher volumes. Despite taking on complicated cases, our outcomes are among the best in the nation. We have one of the lowest complication rates in the country for pancreas surgery.
- Depth of expertise: We treat all types of benign and malignant concerns of the pancreas and nearby organs (bile ducts, gallbladder and duodenum). From severe pancreatitis to advanced pancreatic cancer, we're known for effectively treating the most complex pancreas problems. At our Pancreatic Cyst Program (one of the first and few in the country), you can receive state-of-the-art care from world-renowned experts in managing pancreatic cysts.
- Expansive multidisciplinary expertise: Our large team of hepatobiliary specialists meets regularly to discuss subtle details of individual cases and deliver the best possible care. We collaborate with Penn's esteemed gastroenterologists and GI cancer specialists to determine the right treatment for you. This team mindset ensures we provide a precise diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.
- Enhanced recovery: We developed specific protocols to ease your recovery and improve your health after surgery. Our easy-to-use patient portal (MyChart by myPennMedicine) makes it easy to connect with your care team during your recovery.
Pancreas Conditions Our Surgeons Treat
Our surgeons treat all conditions that affect the pancreas and nearby tissues, including:
- Pancreatic cysts: Fluid-filled growths that develop on the ductal system of the pancreas. There are many types of pancreatic cysts, which can develop for different reasons. A cyst may be benign, premalignant (has the potential to develop into cancer over time) or malignant.
- Pancreatitis: Inflamed pancreas tissue stops the pancreas from working as it should. It may cause minor to severe belly pain. Pancreatitis may happen suddenly (acute pancreatitis) or over a long time (chronic pancreatitis).
- Pancreatic cancer: We treat all types and stages of pancreatic cancer, including:
- Primary pancreatic cancer: Cancer that develops inside the pancreas
- Metastatic cancer to the pancreas: Cancer cells that spread to the pancreas after developing in another area of the body (usually from kidney cancer)
- Neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer: This rare type of pancreatic cancer develops in hormone-producing cells inside the pancreas. Doctors treat neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer differently than other types of pancreatic cancer.
- Tumors affecting nearby tissues: We treat benign conditions (such as inflammation) and cancers (called periampullary cancers) that develop in certain tissues near the pancreas. Periampullary cancers include:
- Ampullary cancer: Cancer in the muscle at the bottom of the common bile duct, which passes through the pancreas to the small intestine
- Bile duct cancers: Cancer in biliary tissues nearby or inside the pancreas
- Duodenal cancer: Cancer in the top section of the small intestine
Why Do I Need Pancreas Surgery?
Our surgeons consider many factors before deciding whether surgery may benefit you and, if so, which procedure to perform. We may recommend pancreas surgery to:
- Treat cancer: Removing cancerous tumors during pancreatectomy surgery can treat pancreas cancer and cancers of nearby tissues. It is the best opportunity for a cure. Not all cancers are candidates for surgery. At Penn, we consider surgery for all primary pancreatic cancer cases (cancer that hasn't spread beyond the pancreas). Our team's experience means we can successfully remove advanced tumors other centers can't. Learn more about pancreatic cancer surgery.
- Prevent cancer: Our surgeons have an expert understanding of the many types of pancreatic cysts. We consider many factors, such as a cyst's size, location and its growth over time, to determine when a cyst is likely to pose a danger to your health. In some cases, we perform surgery to remove a pancreatic cyst to prevent you from getting cancer.
- Improve quality of life: If severe pain due to chronic pancreatitis disrupts your life, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove part or all of the pancreas. In some cases, pancreas surgery may provide significant pain relief and enhance quality of life.
Types of Pancreatectomy & Pancreas Surgeries We Offer
The type of pancreas surgery your doctor recommends often depends on the diagnosis and section of the pancreas affected. Our pancreas surgery options include:
- Staging (diagnostic laparoscopy)
- Whipple surgery (pancreatoduodenectomy)
- Distal pancreatectomy
- Total pancreatectomy
- Duct drainage procedures
Staging (Diagnostic) Laparoscopy
During this minimally invasive procedure, surgeons guide a laparoscope (flexible tube with a camera at the tip) through a small incision in the belly button. This advanced diagnostic procedure gives our surgeons a more complete picture of whether and where cancer has spread.
Whipple Surgery
This highly technical surgery removes the front end of the pancreas (part that attaches to the intestine). Surgeons also remove other tissues, such as the gallbladder and sections of bile duct, small intestine and stomach, as necessary. They remove diseased tissue and reconnect remaining tissues so organs can function properly. Learn more about the Whipple procedure.
Distal Pancreatectomy
This surgery removes some combination of pancreas tissue from the body (middle section) or tail (end of the pancreas, near the spleen). In most cases, surgery may remove the spleen as well. Our team is skilled in traditional open surgery and laparoscopic (tiny incisions) distal pancreatectomy and will choose the best option for you.
Total Pancreatectomy
This surgery is similar to the Whipple procedure, except it removes the entire pancreas. Without a pancreas, your body can't make insulin (which is necessary to control blood sugar) or the enzymes that digest fat. All people who have a total pancreatectomy need to take insulin and enzyme replacement for the rest of their lives.
Our surgeons are skilled in a specialized procedure called islet autotransplant. This procedure is only used for benign conditions like pancreatitis. After removing the pancreas, we isolate the organ's islet cells (that naturally produce insulin) and infuse those cells into the liver. Having an islet autotransplant allows your body to produce insulin even without a pancreas.
Duct Drainage Procedures
Inflammation or scar tissue may cause a blockage in part of the pancreas. We offer multiple options, such as Frey's procedure and the Puestow procedure, to treat blocked pancreatic ducts. Opening a pancreatic duct allows the pancreas to work normally and often relieves pain.
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