Pancreas and Liver Surgery

The pancreas and liver are both vital organs in the body and may require surgery for a
variety of reasons.
Disorders and conditions of the liver and pancreas include:
 Acute and chronic pancreatitis
 Pancreatic Cancer
 Cirrhosis
 Fatty liver disease
 Liver tumours
 Hepatitis
Common symptoms of a liver or pancreatic disorder include:
 Abdominal pain
 Back pain
 Bloating
 Cholestasis- Bile flow is reduced or stopped.

 Clay-coloured stool
 Dark urine
 Fever
 Flatulence
 Fluid build up in the abdominal cavity.
 Indigestion
 Jaundice- A yellowing of the skin and eyes.
 Liver enlargement
 Loss of appetite
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Weight loss
Both pancreas and liver surgery can be complex and carry certain risks, such as
bleeding, infection, or damage to nearby organs.
Pancreas surgery may be necessary for conditions such as pancreatic
cancer, pancreatitis, or cysts on the pancreas. Depending on the condition,
the type of surgery may vary. For example, a Whipple procedure may be
performed for pancreatic cancer, which involves removing the head of the
pancreas, the duodenum, a portion of the stomach, and the gallbladder. Other
types of pancreas surgery may involve removing just a portion of the
pancreas or draining a cyst.
Liver surgery may also be necessary for conditions such as liver cancer,
cirrhosis, or liver abscesses. Again, the type of surgery will depend on the
specific condition. For example, a partial hepatectomy may be performed to
remove a portion of the liver that contains a tumor. Other types of liver surgery
may involve draining abscesses or repairing injuries.