Pancreatectomy in Wiesbaden

There are two types of pancreatectomy: distal (to remove only the body and tail of the pancreas) and total (to remove the whole pancreas), both are performed under general anesthetic. Your surgeon begins the procedure by making a large incision in your abdomen to access your pancreas, then they may remove all of your pancreas or only a part of it. In some cases, the procedure can also be performed with a laparoscopic method, which involves several small incisions to insert a laparoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera and a light attached to its end) and small surgical tools.

You may need to stay in the hospital for 7 days after the surgery. Aim to stay in Wiesbaden for at least 14 additional days after you are discharged to attend follow-up checkups where your surgeon checks the progress of your healing and removes any stitches.

The complete recovery time following a pancreatectomy takes anywhere between four to eight weeks. Some people are able to return to most of their activities, including working, driving, and light exercise (such as walking), within six weeks. Make sure to talk to your surgeon about the detail of your recovery timeline.

Your surgeon will give you instructions regarding wound care, diet, exercise, and restrictions. If you have total pancreatectomy, you may need to take insulin and enzyme supplements to prevent diarrhea, help food digestion, and help regulate blood sugar levels since your body no longer produces its own pancreatic enzymes and insulin. The medication may be temporary or lifelong, depending on your specific condition.

The alternatives to pancreatectomy depend on the underlying condition being treated. For example, if you have pancreatic cancer, your doctor may suggest you undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill the cancer cells. Therefore, it is very important to discuss with your doctor about the best options for your specific case.