A laparoscopy is used to examine body cavities and hollow organs in the abdominal cavity from the inside, i.e. without opening the abdominal wall.
A laparoscope is used: this is a thin tube with a small camera attached to the end. The surgeon inserts it into the abdominal cavity via a hollow instrument (trocar) and can thus assess changes in organs and their surroundings.
Laparoscopy can be used to perform certain surgical procedures at the same time. To do this, the doctor inserts surgical instruments via the laparoscope. Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery is used to treat certain diseases of the pancreas.
Indications for laparoscopic pancreatic surgery include tumors and chronic inflammation of the pancreas. It is therefore a minimally invasive treatment method for pancreatic cancer (pancreatic cancer) and pancreatitis.
Partial or complete removal of the pancreas is the most important treatment option for patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer. Depending on the spread and size of the tumor, the treating surgeons remove
- the pancreatic tail,
- the pancreatic head,
- parts of the pancreatic body,
- in the case of pancreatectomy, the entire pancreas,
- In many cases, adjacent organs such as the duodenum, gallbladder, bile duct and surrounding lymph nodes are also removed.
Nowadays, surgeons usually do not remove parts of the stomach, which used to be standard practice. This allows physiological food intake to be maintained: This significantly improves the quality of life of those affected after the operation.
The aim of laparoscopic pancreatic surgery is to
- in the case of pancreatic cancer: to prevent the formation of metastases by removing the tumor tissue and any affected lymph nodes. Metastases are metastases of the tumor to other organs of the body.
- In the case of chronic inflammation of the pancreas: to remove calcifications in the area of the pancreatic duct that narrow it.
The anatomy of the pancreas © bilderzwerg | AdobeStock
There are various methods available to surgeons for laparoscopic pancreatic surgery on tumor patients. Which of these promises the best chances of success depends on individual factors as well as the localization and spread of the tumour tissue.
Possible surgical procedures are
- Whipple surgery (also known as Kausch-Whipple surgery),
- pylorus-preserving pancreatic head resection,
- duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection,
- left pancreatic resection and
- pancreatectomy.
During the Whipple operation, the surgeon removes
- the pancreatic head,
- the duodenum,
- the gallbladder
- the bile duct,
- surrounding lymph nodes and
- parts of the stomach.
To largely preserve important digestive functions, he then connects the remaining pancreas with the remaining posterior wall of the stomach or the jejunum (empty intestine). He then creates connections between the bile drainage system and the jejunum as well as between the remaining stomach and a loop of the jejunum. If the Whipple operation is successful, patients are considered cured.
In pylorus-preserving pancreatic head resection, the surgeon removes the pancreatic head and other organs. However, the pylorus (gastric pylorus, stomach sphincter) and the entire stomach remain intact. A duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection is performed by excising the pancreatic head. The bile ducts are preserved and the remaining pancreas is connected to the jejunum.
In a left pancreatic resection, the surgeon accesses the pancreas from the left side or through a cross-section of the upper abdomen. He then removes the tail of the pancreas and parts of the pancreatic body.
The surgical procedure in which the entire pancreas is removed is called a pancreatectomy. Surgeons decide to do this when the entire organ is affected by pathological changes. This is often a tumor disease, but severe pancreatitis that is resistant to therapy is also an indication for pancreatectomy.
Every laparoscopic procedure in the area of the pancreas places a strain on the body. Patients should therefore take it easy after such an operation. Avoid physical exertion for a few weeks. Alcohol consumption promotes inflammation of the pancreas. You should therefore also avoid alcohol for some time after the operation.
Exercise and activity, on the other hand, are permitted and sensible the day after the operation: they help to prevent post-operative pneumonia.
Aftercare is also an important issue: patients should have CT scans at regular intervals. The checks serve to detect possible metastases at an early stage.
Most pancreatic procedures are complex operations. They involve a certain risk of damage to surrounding organs and structures. This mainly affects nerves and blood vessels in the surgical area, which can lead to bleeding and secondary bleeding or loss of function.
In rare cases, leaking body fluids can lead to peritonitis. Scars at the suture sites or on the abdominal wall sometimes lead to tension and pressure pain. Very rarely, they cause intestinal obstruction.
The prognosis after surgery depends on the diagnosis and individual factors. The earlier a pancreatic carcinoma is discovered, the better the chances of recovery after the operation.
The minimally invasive technique of laparoscopic pancreatic surgery is gentler on the patient than conventional surgery.
Different procedures are available, depending on the diagnosis and extent of the disease.
Patients should take it easy for a while after the operation and plan to stay in hospital for ten to fourteen days. In some cases, it is advisable to change the diet after the operation, as important digestive enzymes can no longer be produced in sufficient quantities.