What are the complications that may happen immediately after surgery for Whipple’s operation?
The Whipple’s operation is a complex surgery with many potential complications. In the hands of surgeons who are experienced, the complication rate is usually very low. The most serious and specific complications that may be seen after this operation include: Pancreatic Fistula After the tumour is removed from the pancreas, the cut end of the pancreas is sutured back into the bowel so that pancreatic juices can mix with food and be absorbed. The pancreas is a very soft and sometimes fatty organ and in some patients, this suture line may not heal very well. If this happens, then patients develop leakage of pancreatic juice. This usually leaks into the soft plastic drain that the surgeon leaves at the time of the surgery and is controlled without any ill effect to the patient. In most patients who develop a leak of pancreas juice, the leak heals on its own. Occasionally the drain doesn’t cope with all the drainage and the patient will need to be re-operated on to drain the pancreatic jui
