Pancreatic cancer is a cancer that starts in the pancreas due to abnormal cell growth.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
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Nausea & vomiting
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Yellowish discoloration of the eyesand skin (Jaundice)
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Abdominal pain
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Weight loss
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Weakness
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Fatigue
Diagnosis of Pancreatic cancer
Following diagnostic tests are performed in suspicious cases of pancreatic cancer:
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CT scan
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MRI
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Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
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Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
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Percutaneous trans hepatic cholangiography (PTC)
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Biopsy
Laparoscopic surgery for Pancreatic Cancer
Laparoscopic procedure is performed either to take a part of pancreas for biopsy or to remove the cancerous part of pancreas (Laparoscopic Pancreatectomy).
The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. The surgeon makes about 3-4 small incisions in the abdomen. One of the incisions is used to insert a port (nozzle) that fills the carbon dioxide gas into the abdomen to inflate it. Now laparoscope is inserted through another incision. A laparoscope is a telescope lookalike with a light and camera on the end. It allows the surgeon to clearly view inside of the abdomen on the monitor outside. Other surgical instruments are inserted through rest of the incisions to perform the biopsy or to remove the tumor portion of the pancreas. The pancreas specimen is removed in a plastic bag from the abdomen by enlarging one of the small incisions. After completing the procedure, the carbon dioxide gas is released out, and incisions are closed with sutures or staples, or covered with glue-like bandage.
Advantages of Laparoscopic Pancreatectomy
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Faster recovery
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Minimal blood loss
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Only few hours or overnight hospitalization
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Sooner return to work
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Very less pain during and after the procedure
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Smaller incisions without any cut on abdominal muscles
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Negligible risks and complications
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Less chances of wound infection
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High success rate
