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Pancreatectomy

Open Surgery

Chronic pancreatitis also can lead to calcification of the pancreas, which means the pancreatic tissue hardens from deposits of calcium salts. Surgery may be necessary to remove the affected portion of the pancreas. If the bottom half or tail of the pancreas is hardened and needs to be removed, this surgery is known as distal pancreatectomy.

Open surgery is highly invasive and typically requires a longer hospital stay and recovery than less invasive surgical options. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is considered a safe and effective alternative to open surgery. During laparoscopic surgery, doctors make small incisions, use long-handled instruments and a tiny camera to perform the operation. There are inherent limitations to laparoscopic surgery due to the rigid instruments used, particularly for very complex and delicate operations.

With traditional open surgery, a large incision is made to access the pancreas and nearby organs. The goal is to remove the cancerous tumor. One of the following surgeries can be used for pancreatic cancer:

• Whipple procedure - The head of the pancreas, gallbladder, part of the stomach, part of the small intestine, and the bile duct are removed. Enough of the pancreas is left to produce digestive juices and insulin.
• Total pancreatectomy - The whole pancreas, part of the stomach, part of the small intestine, the common bile duct, gallbladder, spleen, and nearby lymph nodes are removed.
• Distal pancreatectomy - The body and the tail of the pancreas and usually the spleen are removed.

Open surgery to treat pancreatic cancer is highly invasive and typically requires a longer hospital stay and recovery than less invasive surgical options. There are less invasive options available to treat this disease. With laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, doctors make small incisions, use long-handled instruments and a tiny camera to perform the operation. But, there are inherent limitations to laparoscopic surgery due to the rigid instruments used, particularly for very complex and delicate operations.

da Vinci® Surgery for Pancreatitis

If your doctor recommends surgery to treat a disease affecting your pancreas, such as chronic pancreatitis, you may be a candidate for safe, effective and minimally invasive da Vinci Surgery.

Using the most advanced technology available, the da Vinci Surgical System enables your doctor to perform this delicate operation through a few tiny incisions with breakthrough vision, precision and control. da Vinci Surgery offers patients many potential benefits compared to traditional surgery, including:

• Reduced surgical trauma²
• Greater chance of preserving your spleen³
• Minimal blood loss⁴
• Shorter hosptial stay³
• Fast recovery²

da Vinci®Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer

If your doctor recommends surgery to treat pancreatic cancer, you may be a candidate for a safe, effective and minimally invasive procedure - da Vinci Surgery.

Using the most advanced technology available, the da Vinci Surgical System enables your doctor to perform this delicate operation through a few tiny incisions with breakthrough vision, precision and control. da Vinci Surgery offers patients several potential benefits over traditional surgery, including:

• Reduced surgical trauma²
• Excellent cancer control⁴
• Minimal blood loss^2,4
• Fast recovery²

da Vinci Surgery also offers pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer patients key benefits when compared to traditional open or laparoscopic surgery, including:

• Greater chance of preserving your spleen³
• Shorter hospital stay³

This procedure is performed using the da Vinci Surgical System, a state-of-the-art surgical platform. By overcoming the limits of both traditional open and laparoscopic surgery, da Vinci is changing the experience of surgery for people around the world.

• The da VinciSurgical System
• FAQs
• Am I A Candidate?
• Important Safety Information

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed since surgery is specific to each patient, condition and procedure. All surgeries carry risks of major complications. Discuss all treatment options with your doctor because understanding the benefits and risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation.