A Young 14-year-old boy got a new lease of life after he underwent a complex and rare for age Whipples Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy) performed by the Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Apollo BGS Hospitals, Mysore. The boy had a history of pain in his abdomen for the last 4 years that recently got severe leading to the child unable to tolerate the pain and consume oral diet.
An Endoscopic Ultrasound performed showed Complex Cystic lesion of Size 7×6 cms in the head of the Pancreas. A further workup with detailed CT scan showed compression of the main vein (Portal Vein) connecting to the Liver causing multiple collaterals while the Cyst fluid analysis suggested a doubtful tumorous lesion. A Multidisciplinary Team comprising of GI Surgeons, Gastroenterologists and Radiologists chalked out a meticulous Surgical approach to treat the lesion after obtaining the family consent.
Explaining about the rare procedure Dr. Nairuthya S., Consultant Chief Gastrointestinal Surgeon, said “The Surgery went on for nearly 6 hours due to its complicated anatomy. Though we had planned for venous resection, we were able to painstakingly dissect off the tumour from the Superior Mesenteric Vein and perform a Whipple’s Procedure” Dr. Yeshwanth Kumar V., Consultant Hepato Biliary & Liver Transplant Surgeon said The Surgery was quite challenging but we could perform it successfully with a smooth post operative recovery. The child was discharged within a week and is doing well on follow up and is now able to consume normal diet. We are happy to see the child getting back to normalcy” The Clinical Team comprised of Dr Rajkumar P. Wadhwa, Chief Gastroenterologist, Dr. Aathira Ravindranath, Consultant Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Dr. Arun N., Consultant Anaesthesiologist, Apollo BGS hospitals.
Addressing the media persons Mr. N. G. Bharateesha Reddy, Vice-President & Unit Head, Apollo BGS Hospitals, said “This is the first time in Mysuru and one of the youngest in the state, to have undergone such a complex Surgery at the age of 14-Years. Our Team of Gastrointestinal Surgeons are highly skilled and experienced in performing complex Vascular resections, hepatobiliary and Transplant surgeries which is rarely seen in this region and patients can get treated for advanced diseases at our hospital, saving their precious time towards the treatment and recovery”
The Whipple’s procedure is a complex abdominal surgery, named after Allen Whipple, a Columbia University surgeon, who first performed the operation in 1935. The procedure involves removal of the ‘head’ of pancreas along with C loop of duodenum (first part of small intestine). Surgeons then remove a portion of common bile duct, gallbladder, and lower part of stomach. Reconstruction involves reconnecting remaining stomach, bile duct and pancreatic duct to rest of Intestine. Sometimes if the main blood vessels to the Liver is involved it needs reconstruction.
