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How Much Does Whipple Surgery Cost?

The cost of a Whipple Surgery is affected by a number of factors, including the type of procedure, the technique used, the hospital and location of choice, the doctor’s credentials, and other factors. While Whipple’s Surgery costs $100,000 in the US and the UK, it costs $5,000 on average in nations like India.

  • Whipple surgery involves the removal of the pancreatic head, the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine, the gallbladder, the bile duct, and any associated lymph nodes.
  • Allen Whipple, MD, a surgeon from Columbia University, carried out the standard Whipple treatment in 1935, becoming the first surgeon in America to do so.
  • This treatment, also known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy.
  • A surgical gastroenterologist performs this procedure. If necessary, surgical oncologists can help with this kind of surgery as well.
  • Open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or robotic-assisted surgery are the three options; the latter is less intrusive, causes less blood loss, and has a quicker recovery period.
  • Whipple Surgery requires the removal of several organs, and it often takes four to six hours for the procedure to complete.
  • Because there are no overt symptoms of pancreatic cancer, it is challenging to diagnose this disease. Consequently, patients are typically in the advanced stages of the disease when they receive a diagnosis.
  • Among frequent malignancies, pancreatic cancer has one of the worst prognoses. Because pancreatic cancer typically grows and spreads before any symptoms occur, just 6% of patients are still living five years after diagnosis.
  • It would be an understatement to say that this operation is complex.
  • It can be challenging to perform the Whipple Procedure since it entails removing the head of the pancreas, the duodenum, the gallbladder, and the bile duct in addition to the pancreas’ remote placement (which is in the upper abdomen, behind the stomach).

Objective

Whipple surgery is used to treat cancer and remove the tumor while stopping its growth and spread to other organs. The majority of these tumors can only be cured and given a long life with this treatment.

  • A surgeon with extensive training and experience is needed to do a Whipple procedure since it is an extremely complicated treatment.
  • It carries a comparatively significant risk of complications, some of which can be fatal.
  • Up to 15% of patients could pass away from surgical complications when the procedure is performed in small facilities or by doctors with less experience.
  • In order to get the best results and meet the objective of having this surgery it’s crucial to be treated by a surgeon who does a lot of these surgeries and to undergo the surgery at a hospital where a lot of them are performed.

The pancreaticoduodenectomy known as the Whipple Procedure is used to treat the following conditions:

  • Cancer of the ampulla of Vater (Ampullary Cancer)
  • Cancer of the distal (lower portion) of the bile duct
  • Chronic Pancreatitis
  • Duodenal cancer
  • Neuroendocrine (Islet Cell) Tumors
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Pancreatic cysts
  • Pancreatic tumors
  • Pancreatitis
  • Neuroendocrine tumors
  • Small bowel cancer
  • Trauma to the pancreas or small intestine
  • Other tumors or disorders involving the pancreas, duodenum, or bile ducts.

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Eligibility

  • The Whipple method may be used to remove (resect) a tumor that is in the head of the pancreas, has not spread to other parts of the body, and is amenable to surgery.
  • Data indicates that up to half of pancreatic cancer patients are informed that they are ineligible for surgery, despite the fact that 20% of those individuals may be eligible.
  • To assess eligibility, it is advisable to consult with a surgeon who performs a high volume of pancreatic procedures (more than 15 per year).
  • It’s not always simple to determine a patient’s suitability for surgery. Even the most advanced imaging examinations cannot always yield accurate results.
  • Despite testing prior to surgery, the surgeon could discover in rare circumstances that cancer has spread or cannot be removed in some circumstances. As a result, the intended operation cannot be finished.

Whipple surgery types

There are three main techniques to carry out the Whipple surgery.

Open Surgery
During an open procedure, the surgeon makes an abdominal incision to establish access to the pancreatic. The most prevalent and well-studied kind of Whipple surgery is open surgery.

Laparoscopic Surgery
A less intrusive variation of the Whipple technique is laparoscopic surgery. Special instruments are inserted through a tiny incision in the abdomen. These tiny devices have a camera that will transmit videos to a monitor so the surgeon may be guided while performing the procedure.

Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery in which tiny incisions are made in the abdomen and surgical instruments attached to a robot are deployed. The surgeon operates the robotic arms from a console while observing video of the organs. The advantage of this type of surgery is that the tiny robotic arms can access places and make little modifications that human hands cannot.

  • There are certain disadvantages to minimally invasive surgical treatments, despite the fact that they have a lower risk of infection and blood loss and a speedier recovery period.
  • Both robotic and laparoscopic surgeries take longer to complete than open surgeries, which are more taxing on the body.

Additionally, there is a chance that a minimally invasive technique can encounter problems that force the physician to revert to open surgery to complete the procedure.

Depending on the situation, the surgeon may consider a variety of options when deciding how the treatment will proceed. Options consist of:

  • Surgery to remove tumors or treat conditions in the pancreas body and tail.
  • Complete pancreatic removal through surgery.
    Surgery to treat tumors that are close to blood arteries.

If the tumors involve surrounding blood arteries, many patients are not deemed candidates for the Whipple procedure or other pancreatic surgeries.

Additionally, blood vessel fragments are removed and rebuilt during the treatments.

Average cost of a Whipple surgery?

  • The cost of a Whipple Surgery is affected by a number of factors, including the type of procedure, the technique used, the hospital and location of choice, the doctor’s credentials, and other factors.
  • For this reason alone, many individuals travel from all over the world to developing nations like India for medical treatment for a range of conditions, such as Whipple Surgery.
  • The cost, therefore, is far lower in these countries than in other countries, which is by far the most significant factor.
  • While Whipple’s Surgery costs $100,000 in the US and the UK, it costs $5,000 on average in nations like India.
  • Depending on a number of variables, including health, the surgeon’s experience, and the facility one selects, the cost may be lower or more.

Consequently, the following variables may affect the outcome and the total cost of Whipple surgery:

  • The cost of a Whipple procedure can vary according to the hospital one chooses.
  • Types of categories of rooms (including room charge, room service, nursing cost, and meals).
  • ICU, Running Space.
  • The cost for the medical group (surgeons, anesthetists, physiotherapists, dieticians) that provides care.
  • Medicines.
  • Regular diagnosis and evaluation procedures.

Diagnosis & Planning Whipple Surgery

  • The medical team performs a number of tests, including imaging and blood testing, before scheduling a date for the Whipple procedure to be sure it is the best course of action for patients.
  • To make sure one can have the procedure, they also evaluate the general health. In some instances, the doctor could suggest strengthening general health or request more testing to lower the risks associated with the procedure.
  • Losing weight and giving up smoking are two suggestions that might be made. Before having Whipple surgery as a cancer treatment, patients may frequently receive radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
  • Once it has been confirmed that one is a good candidate for the Whipple operation, the doctor discusses what to expect before and after the treatment, lets you know about any possible risks, and talk about your quality of life afterward.
  • Any concerns regarding the radiation and chemotherapy, the surgery and its potential hazards, and the recuperation time should be brought up to the surgeon.
  • If there are any less invasive options for surgery, the doctor may recommend the same.
  • The support system may be arranged for the first few days after surgery.

Before the Surgery

  • In the case of cancer, treatment options before the surgery may include radiation or chemotherapy.

In the days preceding up to the day of the surgery, the surgeon advises to discontinue certain medications. patients are also advised to:

  • Fast for eight hours before your Whipple surgery.
  • To improve heart and lung health, by abstaining from smoking, at least two weeks before the Whipple procedure.
  • The medical staff explains which types of medications are restricted or to be discontinued.
  • Through an intravenous line, drugs and fluids are administered. A spinal injection or epidural catheter may also be required. They block the nerves, which aids in reducing post-operative discomfort.

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During The Surgery

  • The surgery is carried out by a surgical team during the Whipple procedure. Surgical nurses, anaesthesiologists, and pancreatic surgeons will make up the team.
  • A catheter is inserted to remove urine from the patient while they are unconscious after the anaesthesiologist gives the anesthesia.
  • To monitor and maintain the condition throughout the surgery, more IV lines and monitors may be added.
  • The abdominal is cut open in a significant way (or, if laparoscopic surgery is performed, only a few minor ones).
  • The area of the pancreas where the tumor is located, the duodenum that surrounds it in the small intestine, the lower piece of the bile duct, the gall bladder, and occasionally a portion of the stomach, are removed by the surgeon.
  • The pancreas and bile duct are linked to the small intestine.
  • In order to ensure that food may move through the entire digestive tract, the small intestine is then reattached to the stomach.
  • The length of the process might range from four to twelve hours, depending on the type of surgery you are having. On average, it may take 4-6 hours.
  • The surgery is carried out while completely unconscious. This treatment renders patients unconscious and insensitive to pain or other stimuli.

Recovery

  • Incision care is essential. The wound should be kept dry and clean; it will eventually heal.
  • One should expect to resume normal activities six weeks after surgery, though recovery times might vary between patients. Recovery lasts six to eight weeks in general.
  • Follow-up appointments typically take happen seven to 14 days after discharge.
  • After surgery, exercise is advised. As soon as one feels ready, the medical team encourages the patient to resume all of the regular activities.

Risks

When undergoing the Whipple procedure, up to one-third of patients experience problems, which include:

  • Diabetes. This could be transitory or long-term. (This condition can develop if too many insulin-producing cells are removed from the pancreas).
  • There are fistula issues.
  • Bowel leakage.
  • Leakage from the organs involved.
  • Bleeding.
  • Infection.
  • Difficulty digesting some foods.
  • Weight loss.
  • Bowel changes.
  • Constipation.

Success & Survival Rate

In the past few decades, there has been a significant improvement in the Whipple procedure’s survival rate. Between 5% and 15% of Whipple surgery patients succumbed to complications thirty years ago. Currently, the mortality rate ranges between 1% and 3%.

People suffering from pancreatic cancer now have hope owing to the Whipple surgery. The quality and duration of life may improve once the tumor is removed. It’s crucial to have a seasoned surgeon perform the Whipple operation at a reputable hospital.

A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer might feel fatal. Thankfully, a Whipple procedure might increase a person’s life expectancy.

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Questions? Let us know.
Dr. Surbhi Suden

Verified By Dr. Surbhi Suden

Dr. Surbhi Suden is one of the founders of Lyfboat and a doctor with a renowned name in the Medical tourism industry. She has been working with international patients since 2008 and is a deeply committed professional with a long term vision of transforming the current healthcare scenarios.

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Dr. Surbhi Suden

Verified By Dr. Surbhi Suden

Dr. Surbhi Suden is one of the founders of Lyfboat and a doctor with a renowned name in the Medical tourism industry. She has been working with international patients since 2008 and is a deeply committed professional with a long term vision of transforming the current healthcare scenarios.
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