Whipple, also known as pancreaticoduodenectomy, is named after Allen Whipple, an American doctor who performed this surgery in the 1930s.
In the Whipple procedure, the head of the pancreas, part of the stomach, the entire duodenum, and the adjacent part of the biliary tract are completely removed. The most important aspect of the operation is to restore the correct coordination between these organs.
How is the Whipple Procedure performed?
After the head of the pancreas, part of the stomach, the entire duodenum, and the part of the bile ducts adjacent to this area are completely removed, the small intestine is first completely closed because the diameter of the pancreatic duct is very small. A hole, the diameter of the pancreatic duct, is made in its side wall and joined.
Then, a second hole, the size of the bile duct opening, is made in the side wall of the small intestine, and the hole is joined.
Approximately 40 cm below, a hole, the diameter of the mouth of the gastric outlet, is made in the small intestine, and the gastric outlet is sewn here as the third connection.
Thus, the digestive system is connected to the small intestine, the head of the pancreas, then the duodenum. The head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, and the bile ducts are completely removed and connected to the small intestine, forming the digestive system.
