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The Whipple Procedure

The Whipple Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy) is a 5-8 hour surgery to remove tumors from the pancreas, duodenum, and bile duct, often performed laparoscopically.

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Key Information

The Whipple Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy) is the most commonly performed surgery to remove tumors in the pancreas and is used to treat conditions including Pancreatic Cancer, Chronic Pancreatitis, and various other cancers of the digestive tract.

In a standard Whipple procedure, the surgeon removes the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, part of the duodenum, and a small portion of the stomach (pylorus), before reconnecting the remaining digestive organs to allow flow of digestive contents into the small intestine.

The procedure usually lasts between 5 to 8 hours and is often performed using a laparoscopic approach (small incisions, camera, specialized instruments) which offers advantages like a shorter hospital stay, shorter recovery time, and less pain compared to conventional surgery.

A possible complication is delayed gastric emptying, where the stomach takes too long to empty, but the most serious potential complication is abdominal infection due to leakage at the connection site, occurring in approximately 10% of patients.

About The Whipple Procedure

Pancreatoduodenectomy is commonly referred to as the Whipple procedure and is named after Allan Whipple, MD, a physician who perfected the surgery in the 1930s. During the Whipple procedure, the surgeon removes cancerous parts of the pancreas, duodenum, common bile duct, and if required, portions of the stomach.

Pancreatic Cancer
Neuroendorince (slet Cell) Tumors
Chronic Pancreatitis
Cancer of the ampulla of Vater (ampullary cancer)
Duodenal cancer
Cancer of the distal (lower portion) of the bile duct.

The Whipple Procedure, or Pancreaticoduodenectomy, is the most commonly performed surgery to remove tumors in the pancreas.
The laparoscopic Whipple procedure is performed through small incisions in the abdominal wall however, conventional surgeries however require a longer incision and wider opening of the abdomen. A laparoscope, a long thin tube with a lighted camera at its tip, is inserted through one incision. The surgeon operates using specially designed surgical instruments placed through the remaining incisions, guided by the laparoscope images shown on a monitor in the operating room.
In a standard Whipple procedure, the surgeon removes the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, part of the duodenum which is the uppermost portion of the small intestine, a small portion of the stomach called the pylorus, and the lymph nodes near the head of the pancreas.
The surgeon then reconnects the remaining pancreas and digestive organs so that pancreatic digestive enzymes, bile, and stomach contents will flow into the small intestine during digestion.
In another type of Whipple procedure known as pylorus preserving Whipple, the bottom portion of the stomach, or pylorus, is not removed.
In both cases, the surgery usually lasts between 5-8 hours.

Results are different for each procedure and each patient. Some common advantages of minimally invasive Whipple Procedure Advantages are:

Shorter hospital stay
Shorter recovery time
Less pain from the incisions
Faster return to normal diet
Faster return to work or normal activity
Better cosmetic healing

After a Whipple procedure, the most common complication is delayed gastric emptying, a condition in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents.
Usually, after 7-10 days the stomach begins to work properly. If delayed gastric emptying persists, supplemental feedings by a feeding tube may be started. The condition usually lasts for another 7-10 days, but could last as long as a few weeks.
The most serious potential complication is abdominal infection due to leakage where the pancreas has been connected to the intestine. This occurs in approximately 10% of patients and is usually managed by a combination of draining tubes, antibiotics, and supplemental tube feedings.
Patients who have undergone the Whipple procedure may experience long-term effects including digestive difficulties and weight loss. Patients may also experience malabsorption of foods, due to the diminished pancreas.
Diabetes can develop if too many insulin-producing cells are removed from the pancreas. However, patients who have normal blood sugar before surgery are unlikely to develop diabetes, and those who recently developed diabetes before surgery are even likely to improve.

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Doctors performing The Whipple Procedure

All procedures at GMS Cyprus are performed by internationally recognized surgeons from Israel, the EU, and the US. Each selected for their exceptional qualifications, surgical expertise, and commitment to patient care.

Our doctors are leaders in their fields, with extensive experience in advanced techniques and consistently high success rates. They work closely with our medical board and patient support team to ensure each treatment is safe, effective, and tailored to the individual.

The GMS Cyprus Promise

We are committed to providing every patient with access to world-class surgeons, personalized care, and unwavering support throughout their medical journey.

We carefully select our surgeons based on international standards, clinical excellence, and patient outcomes. We believe that medical travel should be stress-free, transparent, and guided by people who genuinely care. Our promise is to treat you with dignity, protect your privacy, and give you peace of mind every step of the way.

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Testimonials

Ilanit Boker

I happily recommend the services of the GMS team. I needed a unique procedure which is not performed in Israel and I turned to them.

Over a telephone conversation with GMS representative Roy, I felt caring attention and confidence that he would help in everything. He accompanied us throughout the entire process, before the flight and even after.

In addition to Roy, we would like to sincerely thank Oriya, our allocated Israeli speaking patient coordinator of the company in Cyprus.

Even before our departure, Oriya was in touch with us helping with any issues and made sure that we arrived fully prepared – taking into account the smallest details; even to the point of finding out our food preferences, and despite the late hour of our arrival at the hotel, she ensured an exquisite meal was waiting for us in the room. Oriya greeted us upon arrival and truly made us feel like we were her personal guests. She accompanied us throughout the entire day of the operation – attentively, with endless care and continued patience.

I felt like I had a good friend with me in the hospital. This kind of treatment doesn’t happen very often… At the end of the day we parted, hugging each other, and Oriya gave recommendations on where to go and what to do in the time remaining before returning home.

I just don’t have enough words to thank GMS and Oriya for everything. I can only recommend with a reassurance that those who need it should use their services.

Almog Brand

When I was looking for information about palm surgery, I found many recommendations about Dr. Amir Oron. After a consultation with Dr. Amir, I was surprised to learn that my health insurance does not guarantee that he will be the surgeon to perform the procedure.

That is when I contacted GMS, who explained how I could have the surgery performed by the physician of my choice – which gave me peace of mind. It is very important for me to share my experience, as the service I received through GMS exceeded any similar experience in Israel: From the beginning I was assigned a GMS representative from Israel, who explained in detail what my experience would be and answered all my questions about the operation and the treatment process. (Thanks, Roy!)

All I had to do was fill out the application form. GMS representatives took care of everything themselves!

They contacted the insurance company on my behalf and even had them check the status of the application until the financial commitment for the surgery was received. We agreed with on the surgical date, booked the flights at a convenient time for me, and also dealt with the hotel reservation. The GMS staff even reviewed the menu and took any dietary restrictions into consideration on my behalf.

We were picked up from the airport in Larnaca, Cyprus where we met the wonderful Oria, who accompanied us throughout the entire visit and took care of every detail; from registration to preparation for the operation.

This is essentially a VIP service that made the entire experience relaxed and stress-free.
The assigned coordinators continued caring after my return to Israel. They were interested in my recuperation post-operatively and also ensured all financial matters were dealt with; all this, by the way, without any commissions or payouts on my part, but directly with my insurance.
In a word – an amazing experience!
In short – I recommend it!

Thank to GMS, thank you Roy, thank you Uriah and thank you Dr. Oron.

Nirit Shortz-Raphael

I do not even know where to start!!
Overall, the service exceeded all my expectations!

Roy – thank you for your patience, quick responses (minutes!), availability, caring and clear explanations! You are inimitable! Oriya – you are amazing! Thank you for every smile, hug, help, guidance, explanation… really! You are simply amazing!

Every time I was asked by friends and family about the surgery, I immediately started talking about your amazing service! I felt warmth and love, and everyone who was with me felt the same!
We never stop talking about you, and really, only good things!

You have entered our hearts!
Thank you very much for everything! I hope to see you in the future, under different circumstances.

Nadav Ben-Ezer

When one thinks of “Medical Operation” overseas, the last thing that comes to mind is a “Great Experience”, but this is exactly what I have experienced, going through a prostate removal procedure via GMS Cyprus. With their professional and compassionate approach, the GMS Cyprus team provides to the confused and worried patient a complete transparent VIP envelop, which takes care of all the logistics involved in “Medical Tourism” for the patient and their escort, as well as assembling a world class international medical team and medical facilities suitable to treat the medical diagnosis at hand.

From the first time the medical situation was diagnosed, and the first contact was made, the GMS team was there to remove the hassle and understand my concerns and worries about the medical issue and being far from home, and they handled every detail of the logistics of travel, insurance company requirements and medical preparations. From first arrival at the luxurious hotel, assigned to the first night and for my personal escort, the GMS management, Udi and Clair, has treated me as family away from home and personally came to greet me and attend firsthand to all my needs and requests. To top it all, they assigned their own personal escort, the wonderful Aia, which was available 24/7 and door to door to handle any need and detail and helped interface with the local hospital team.

I want also to recommend the choice of the hospital at Limassol, which is modern and clean, and of course GMS team have in advance reserved a private and spacious room and nominated a local doctor, which was familiar with my case and participated in the treatment and which came often to check my condition and parameters.

To summarize, I would not go so far as to wish such treatment to anybody, but if you must go through the medical procedure, the VIP treatment provided by GMS is a legitimate alternative, combining easy logistics, professional medical treatment by your own doctor, modern hospital, relaxed overseas experience and personal compassionate escorting to ease and sweeten the experience.

Dorit

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The Whipple Procedure

Key Information

About The Whipple Procedure