Whipple Surgery in India

Did you know that pancreatic cancer often has the worst prognosis because it grows and spreads before showing any symptoms?

The Whipple procedure, named after Dr. Allen Whipple, is a surgical technique designed to treat tumors in the head of the pancreas, offering hope to patients with this challenging cancer.

If the tumor is localized to the head of the pancreas and hasn't spread, the Whipple procedure can effectively remove it, potentially extending your life.

If you have pancreatic cancer and are looking for treatment options, consult with your doctor to see if the Whipple procedure could be the right choice for you.

Why is Whipple Surgery Performed?

Whipple surgery helps to treat patients with these given diseases such as:

• Pancreatic cysts.
• Pancreatitis.
• Small bowel cancer of the duodenum.
• Trauma to the pancreas or small intestine.
• Ampullary cancer.
• Bile duct cancer.
• Neuroendocrine tumors.

Latest Advances Used in Whipple Surgery in India

Advancements in Whipple surgery have significantly improved outcomes by incorporating minimally invasive techniques that lead to faster recovery and fewer complications. Let’s explore these advances:

• Laparoscopic Surgery: This minimally invasive technique involves making several small incisions in the abdomen. A tiny camera is inserted through one incision, allowing surgeons to see and operate on the affected area.
• Robotic Surgery: In this innovative approach, surgeons use a console to guide a surgical robot, equipped with a camera, to perform the procedure. The robot’s arms are controlled by the surgeon, providing enhanced precision and control based on real-time images displayed on the screen.

How the Whipple Surgery Procedure is Done?

Healthcare providers will give you instructions for the surgery and also tell you about the during and after the procedure:

Before the Surgery

• Before the procedure starts, you might need treatment to shrink the tumor to increase the success rate of the surgery which includes chemotherapy, and radiation.
• You may undergo several tests to determine the condition based on your age and any other health problems.
• You will be asked to stop eating and drinking anything and take necessary medications right before the surgery.
• In the morning, the nurse will insert an IV to give you medicine and fluids.
• You will get an epidural catheter which helps to prevent pain in the first few days after surgery.

During the Surgery

• During the Whipple surgery procedure, the surgeon will remove the head of the pancreas and the lower end of the stomach,
• The first part of the small intestine, gall bladder, part of the ducts, and surrounding lymph nodes.
• Then the surgeons will join the remaining parts of the stomach and bile duct to the small intestine and pancreas to the small intestine to the stomach.

After the Surgery

• After the surgery will have to stay on the surgical floor, and in case you have other health issues then you might stay in the ICU.
• The medical staff will monitor closely your condition for post-op problems or infections.
• You won't be able to eat anything by mouth for a few days while your digestive system heals, but you can walk short distances on the first day after surgery.
• To determine the condition, doctors will conduct tests to see if all cancer is gone and make sure lymph nodes are cancer-free.
• You will get discharged after 4 to 7 days and you will be asked to follow all the instructions that have been given by doctors for home care.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

To diagnose the conditions of patients, doctors conduct tests that help to determine the condition such as:

• Blood chemistry study 
• Tumor marker test 
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) 
• CT scan (CAT scan) 
• PET scan (positron emission tomography scan) 
• Abdominal ultrasound 
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) 
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) 
• Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) 
• Laparoscopy 
• Biopsy

Who are the Candidates?

Whipple surgery helps to treat cancer in the pancreas and it is used to treat health conditions such as:

• Pancreatic cysts
• Bile duct cancer
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Cancer in the upper small intestine
• Damage to your pancreas or small intestine
• Cancer between the bile and pancreatic ducts

List of Hospitals for Whipple Surgery in India

• Amrita Hospital, Kochi
• Medanta - The Medicity Hospital
• KIMS Hospital, Secunderabad
• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital, Mumbai
• Vijaya Hospital, Chennai
• Indraprastha Apollo Hospital
• Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata
• Aster Medicity, Kochi
• BLK Max Super Speciality Hospital
• Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune

List of Doctors for Whipple Surgery in India

• Dr. J. C. Vij
• Dr. Sohan Lal Broor
• Dr. Gourdas Choudhuri
• Dr. N R Shetty
• Dr. V. P Bhalla
• Dr. Randhir Sud
• Dr. Arun Dewan
• Dr. Adarsh Choudhary
• Dr. P. K. Mishra
• Dr. Arun Prasad

Complications 

• Bleeding and infection.
• Delayed stomach emptying.
• Leaks from the pancreas.
• Long, difficult healing times.
• Short- or long-term diabetes.
• Trouble keeping food down.

Why Choose Mejocare for Whipple Surgery in India?

Team of Top Gastroenterologists: We recommend the best doctors with more than 20 years of experience.

JCI/NABH Accredited Hospitals: We have also partnered with hospitals that have State-of-the-art Facilities that are equipped with the latest technologies such as robotics, machine learning, and cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, designed to offer you comprehensive and personalized care.

Other Benefits: We provide, swift and detailed responses, accurate cost estimates, help with obtaining medical visas, accommodation in India, and priority appointment scheduling with the doctors. 

Moreover, we also facilitate your smooth arrival in India, with airport pickup, drop at the hotel, hospitalization assistance, and much more.

Conclusion 

Whipple surgery is a surgical procedure for individuals with pancreatic cancer, and to determine the condition patients undergo several tests that include a Blood chemistry study, Tumor marker test, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT scan (CAT scan), PET scan (positron emission tomography scan), Abdominal ultrasound, etc.

Some more tests include Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), Laparoscopy, Biopsy, and when the results come doctors decide whether the surgery should be performed or not.

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Aryan Malhotra

Dr. Aryan Malhotra is a highly respected and compassionate medical professional with a strong academic background. He holds an MBBS and MD degree from DTMU University in Georgia. Driven by a deep sense of duty, he is dedicated to providing exceptional care to his patients.