Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 11/24/2009
The mortality rate for pancreatectomy has decreased in recent years to 5–10%, depending on the extent of the surgery and the experience of the surgeon. A study of 650 patients at Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, found that only nine patients, or 1.4%, died from complications related to surgery.
Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is the most lethal form of gastrointestinal malignancy. However, for a highly selective group of patients, a pancreatectomy offers a chance for cure, especially when performed by experienced surgeons. The overall five-year survival rate for patients who undergo pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer is about 10%; patients who undergo pancreaticoduodenectomy have a 4–5% survival at five years. The risk for tumor recurrence is thought to be unaffected by whether the patient undergoes a total pancreatectomy or a pancreaticoduodenectomy, but is increased when the tumor is larger than 1.2 in (3 cm) and the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or surrounding tissue.
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While most people have Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 Diabetes (sometimes called juvenile diabetes) is still fairly common. This narrated video describes the biology and pathology of Type 1 Diabetes, how it is treated, and what can occur if blood sugar levels become abnormal. In contrast to Type 2 Diabetes, the pancreas does not excrete insulin in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
Other Information
Pancreatectomy is a medical term referring to surgical removal of part or all of the pancreas.
The most common surgical procedure is called pancreaticoduodenectomy. Among common consequences of complete or nearly complete pancreatectomy are deficiencies of pancreatic endocrine or exocrine function requiring replacement of insulin or digestive enzymes. The patient becomes immediately, a type I diabetic, with no hope for future Type I diabetes treatements, since the pancreas is either partially or completely absent. Type I diabetes is one of the hardest diseases to maintain and mortality is very high. Pancreatectomy should NEVER be given as an option for pancreatic disease who's main symptom is pain. It is very important to note that even after pancreatectomy, pain still exists in most patients.
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