Pancreatitis Surgery: Specialists & Information

The pancreas is the medical term for this organ. It breaks down fats in food and metabolizes them.

In addition, the pancreas is responsible for producing insulin. Insulin enables sugar to be absorbed into the body’s cells and regulates blood sugar levels.

Acute inflammation of the pancreas can be harmless, but it can also be life-threatening.

The necrotizing form is particularly dangerous, as it causes local tissue to die. Ultimately, this form can lead to multiple organ failure, making surgical treatment unavoidable.

After a detailed medical history interview and a physical examination of the patient, a blood test is usually performed. The patient’s blood can reveal signs of inflammation, a possible tumor, and the current function of the pancreas.

If the doctor then suspects a pancreatic disorder, further tests are performed. Physicians rely on imaging (CT or ultrasound) and endoscopic procedures (MRCP and ERCP).

If gallstones are the cause of pancreatitis, removal of the gallbladder is often necessary © bilderzwerg | AdobeStock

In cases of acute necrotizing pancreatitis, the visceral surgeon removes the dead or inflamed tissue.

They then insert a drain to prevent the inflammation from spreading further. A drain is a plastic tube that allows inflammatory fluid and pus to drain out. This procedure is also known as a Frey procedure.

In cases of chronic pancreatitis, the surgeon may need to remove the non-functioning portion of the pancreas. To do this, the surgeon opens the pancreatic duct, through which enzymes are collected and transported to the intestine. In addition, the surgeon may remove any pancreatic duct stones present.

The surgeon then sutures a section of the small intestine to the opened pancreatic duct. The connection created in this way serves as the new pathway for the digestive enzymes.

It is often necessary to remove the gallbladder at the same time during the operation.

If the cause of the acute pancreatitis is known, it must be treated effectively.

In cases of lipid metabolism disorders or gallstones, for example, it may be necessary to remove the gallbladder. This helps prevent the recurrence of gallstones and associated inflammation. Otherwise, no further measures are necessary following uncomplicated acute pancreatitis.

In cases of alcohol-induced pancreatitis, the patient must significantly reduce their alcohol consumption. Some experts recommend completely abstaining from alcohol for half a year or a full year following an episode of pancreatitis. Whether abstinence from alcohol generally reduces the risk of recurrence in pancreatitis has not yet been conclusively determined.

If severe complications occur during pancreatitis, further treatment is usually required after hospitalization.

During the illness, many patients experience significant weight loss. In some cases, patients complain of a loss of appetite for weeks. It takes a correspondingly long time for the patient to regain their original body weight. During this period, nutritional counseling may be advisable and helpful.

In some patients, the pancreas is temporarily unable to function fully after recovery from the illness. It can no longer produce sufficient digestive juices. In this case, artificial enzymes can be taken. These aid in the absorption of fats from food.

After recovering from acute pancreatitis, there is also an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus. This condition, in turn, may require further treatment.

Acute inflammation of the pancreas can be treated very effectively today. As a result, in most cases, patients recover without any lasting effects.

Specialists in pancreatitis surgery are visceral surgeons. They can further specialize by focusing on pancreatic surgery. This makes them the right point of contact for a thorough diagnosis and the safe implementation of the appropriate treatment.