Erin Laferriere MSN, RN, CCRN’s Post

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Registered Nurse & Legal Nurse Consultant

A #pancreaticoduodenectomy, also known as the "Whipple" is a complex surgical procedure most commonly known for resecting pancreatic tumors. If cancer is localized this procedure can extend life expectancy despite the overall poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer. It also can be performed for other conditions including pancreatitis, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, and other times of digestive cancers. During this procedure portions of the pancreas and small intestine (duodenum) will be removed along with parts of the gallbladder, bile duct, and stomach. Risks associated with this procedure include infection, anastomosis leak, diabetes, bowel changes, and difficulty digesting food. According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network #Whipple success rates and 5-year-survival rates improve if you chose a high-volume surgeon who performs 15 or more Whipples annually. #cancer #pancreaticcancer #criticalcare #legalnurseconsulting #ICU #acutecare #surgery #surgical #operation #RN #registerednurse #recovery #survivor #LNC

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Cara G. Pelland, MS, RN, FCNS

Registered Nurse Forensic Nurse Investigator Forensic Nurse Consultant

2w

My grandmother had a Whipple. She was diagnosed with primary pancreatic and primary breast cancer at the age of 77. She had her Whipple done then a mastectomy the following year. Her doctor said to see if she survived the Whipple/pancreatic cancer before proceeding to the mastectomy. She did. She lived more than 5 years after her Whipple before she passed away-not from cancer but from becoming septic following a stroke and developing an area of necrotic bowel due to ischemia. Having an amazing surgeon is one key thing for sure. For my grandmother, in addition to her surgeon and every part of her multiple medical teams, her faith led her and carried her through all of it.

This is really helpful visualisation of the Whipple procedure. I’ve studied it before, the Whipple procedure is such a complex surgery, but it can make a real difference for patients with localised pancreatic cancer.

Maureen Elia, MSN, RNC-OB, RNC-IAP, C-EFM

Labor and Delivery Nurse | Nurse Educator | Consultant | Speaker | Expert Witness

1w

I work with a surgeon who probably does 15 whipples a week!! No, in all seriousness I bet he does 15 in two weeks. People come from all around to see him!

Lakeisha N. Falwell, MS, NP, RN, AOCNP®

Trusted Nursing Expert | Valued Legal Nurse | Assisting Attorneys Nationwide By Reviewing Medical-Related Cases From an Experienced Healthcare Perspective | Nurse Practitioner | Registered Nurse

2w

As an oncology nurse practitioner, I often see patients who have undergone Whipple procedures. It is quite an extensive surgery. Great visuals!

Rene Ooten

Registered Nurse Cardiac Cath Lab at Vanderbilt University Medical Center

2w

11 years post Whipple with total pancreatectomy for pNET by Dr. Nipun Merchant at Vanderbilt in Nashville. I had been a critical care nurse for 20 years & had no idea one could survive without a pancreas. Recovery was uncomplicated but very slow.

Karen Painter

Registered Nurse | Advisor / Director

2w

Scheduled Whipples by surgeons who do them often is best, I agree ! We do on occasion, perform a Whipple incidentally, if discovered during another procedure ie; (Cholecystectomy) or other that identifies that there is a cancer, and then we have caught it early, on accident. 😲

Jason Pacheco

Medical Device Sr. Territory Manager | Top Salesman | Disruptive Product Launches | President’s Club | Endovascular AAA TAA | Interventional Oncology | Peripheral Vascular Disease | Wellness Coaching

1w

I think NFL HOF Randy Moss just had this done if I’m not mistaken . Thanks for the illustration

Wow this looks incredibly complex and makes me reflect on how far we have come in medicine, thank you for sharing!

Dan Easley

Medical Device Marketing Director

1w

Randy Moss just got a Whipple

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