Distal Pancreatectomy – Explained by a Gastro & Cancer Surgeon

The pancreas is a soft gland located behind the stomach in the back of the upper abdomen. It produces enzymes for food digestion as well as a variety of hormones, most notably for sugar regulation. The pancreas is separated into four sections: head, neck, body, and tail.

What is Pancreatic Cancer and How is it Treated

Pancreatic cancer occurs when certain cells in the pancreas become malignant, develop, and spread. The pancreas is affected by a variety of tumours and cysts in addition to cancer. Serous cystadenoma, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), neuroendocrine tumours, mucinous cystadenoma and solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas are all examples of these. Their treatment is determined by the type of lesion and the stage at which it is discovered, and it may necessitate surgical removal.

According to Dr. Arghya Basu, a famous Gastro & Cancer Surgeon in Kolkata, pancreatic lesions can develop in any part of the pancreas, from the head to the tail. They are removed together with the affected section of the pancreas if they are not locally advanced and have not migrated to distant organs such as the liver or lung.

What is Distal Pancreatectomy

The body and tail, as well as the tumour of the pancreas, are removed during a distal pancreatectomy. Depending on the tumour’s location, the pancreas and pancreatic duct are split at the neck or the body. Sutures or staples are used to seal the cut end of the pancreas. When a tumour affects splenic veins or when lymph nodes in advanced tumours need to be cleansed, the spleen is removed, and the procedure is known as pancreatosplenectomy. The spleen’s blood supply, which is provided by the splenic artery and vein, is severed during distal pancreatosplenectomy. The spleen, together with the pancreas, is then mobilised and removed.

The splenic artery and vein are preserved during spleen preservation pancreatectomy. In either situation, the liver and intestine’s blood supply must be carefully safeguarded. We make sure the malignancy hasn’t spread before starting with surgery. If the tumour spreads to nearby organs, such as the stomach or colon, the affected organ is removed as well.

Post Distal Pancreatectomy Recovery

It takes three to five days to recover from surgery. Recovery time may be longer after surgery for advanced or complex tumours, says the best Gastro & Cancer Surgeon in Kolkata. The drainage tube is checked for the content as well as the amount, and when necessary, it is removed.

In some cases, recovery will be uneventful, and the expected postoperative course will be deviated. This is referred to as a problem. Bleeding, infection and intra-abdominal collection are all possibilities. A disorder known as pancreatic fistula occurs when the cut end of the pancreatic duct leaks. The majority of these issues are treatable, but they may lengthen your hospital stay.

Most patients are able to consume a normal diet and do everyday activities after they are discharged. Adjuvant treatment, which includes additional chemotherapy or radiotherapy, may be recommended by the Gastro & Cancer Surgeon depending on the stage and type of the tumour.