Distal Pancreatectomy

If the tumor is contained within the body or tail portion of the pancreas, a distal pancreatectomy will be performed.  The surgeon removed the body and tail of the pancreas ans sometimes the spleen.  All other organs are left intact.  The most common complication from this surgery us leakage of pancreatic juices. Other serious complications are bleeding or infection.

Total Pancreatectomy

Rarely, the tumor is situated in such a way that requires the entire pancreas be removed.  Similar to a Whipple procedure, the gallbladder, duodenum, bottom portion of the stomach and local lymph nodes are often removed along with the entire pancreas.  The spleen may also be removed.  Because the entire pancreas is gove, the person will be diabetic aftern surgery and must take insulin to control blood sugar.  The patient will also need to take pancreatic enzyme supplements with meals in order to digest food. 

It can take a patient anywhere from a few months to a year to feel relatively "normal" again after pancreatic surgery.  It takes time for the digestive system to start working again and some patients find that they must make permanent changes in their diets to alleviate symptoms such as diarrhea, gas and stomach pain.