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This is an operative photograph from the pancreas surgery collection of Dr. Ilango Sethu, one of our senior consultants in pancreatic oncology and oncosurgery.
The patient is a 60 year old gentleman with cancer in the head of the pancreas. He was diagnosed to have pancreatic cancer during the evaluation of jaundice. The patient had a high risk of heart attack and could not be treated by angioplasty. So he underwent coronary bypass surgery after stenting (small net like structure seen on the right of the yellow colored loop). After recovering from the coronary bypass surgery, the patient has undergone a Whipple's operation with resection of the superior mesenteric vein.
The photograph above shows how the vein was separated and removed along with the tumour. This vein was stitched back again and the blood flow to the liver was restored. Such technical advancements can provide good life to patients with pancreatic cancer. Today, we combine such treatments with the state of the art chemotherapy regimens called FOLFIRINOX to prolong life and hope for patients with pancreatic cancer.

 

Image shared from the collection of Dr. Ilango Sethu, Senior Consultant in Pancreatic Oncology and Oncosurgery.
Image shows the presence of a pancreatic fistula following a resection of the pancreas. Patient had undergone a procedure to remove a suspected lesion in the body of the pancreas. The lesion was very close to the pancreatic duct which carries the pancreatic juice to the intestines for digestion. This lady developed leakage of pancreatic juice from the operation. The risk is about 20% in the operation called distal pancreatectomy. To handle this problem, special imaging like the above was performed and the site was marked and glue injection was done initially. Subsequently, we have provided alternative drainage of the pancreatic duct into the stomach. After the corrective drainage, the patient has gained weight and returned to normal life and is back to her hometown.
This was once considered a dreaded complication of pancreatic surgery. Today, we have well established treatment policies in pancreatic units dedicated to the care of these patients. This patient was treated in a government supported insurance program.





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