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Pancreatic surgery encompasses a wide variety of surgical procedures concerning the pancreas (a gland located behind the stomach just below the liver). Disorders of pancreas can be divided into those caused by tumors (benign or malignant) and those caused by inflammation (acute or chronic).

Prior to any operation on the pancreas the patient undergoes testing and is evaluated by multidisciplinary team of physicians. Malignant tumors of the pancreas may require preoperative radiation and chemotherapy to maximize the chances for cure with resection. The majority of surgical procedures performed on the pancreas involve resection (removal) of the portion that is involved in the disease process and with pancreatic cancer may well require resection of structures that are involved by tumor including the bowel (stomach and duodenum), bile duct and vascular structures like the portal vein. Postoperative chemoradiotherapy is also frequently required to maximize the chances of a successful outcome. A major pancreatic resection takes approximately 4-6 hours and in most cases is performed without blood transfusion. The post-operative hospital stay is about 7 days and complete recuperation time is expected in 6 weeks. In properly selected patients, excellent operative results and future quality of life.

The University of Florida Center for Hepatobiliary Disease offers:

Multidisciplinary management of pancreatic malignancy in conjunction with the Shands Cancer Center. Hepatopancreaticobiliary surgeons who specialize in surgery of the pancreas, liver and bile ducts. For more information or to arrange an appointment call: 352-265-0606.