Question

A patient with pancreatic cancer is admitted to the hospital for evaluation of possible treatment options. The patient asks the nurse to explain the Whipple procedure that the surgeon has described. The explanation includes the information that a Whipple procedure involves

a. Creating a bypass around the obstruction caused by the tumor by joining the gallbladder to the jejunum.
b. Resection of the entire pancreas and the distal portion of the stomach, with anastomosis of the common bile duct and the stomach into the duodenum.
c. Removal of part of the pancreas, part of the stomach, the duodenum, and the gallbladder, with joining of the pancreatic duct, the common bile duct, and the stomach into the jejunum.
d. Radical removal of the pancreas, the duodenum, and the spleen, and attachment of the stomach to the jejunum, which requires oral supplementation of pancreatic digestive enzymes and insulin replacement therapy. (Lewis 1042)

Answer 1

A Whipple procedure involves removing part of the pancreas, stomach, duodenum, and gallbladder and joining the pancreatic duct, common bile duct, and stomach to the jejunum. It is used to treat pancreatic cancer.

Step-by-step explanation:

A Whipple procedure involves the removal of part of the pancreas, part of the stomach, the duodenum, and the gallbladder. The pancreatic duct, the common bile duct, and the stomach are then joined into the jejunum. This surgical procedure is usually performed to treat pancreatic cancer. After the procedure, oral supplementation of pancreatic digestive enzymes and insulin replacement therapy are required.