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Whipple Procedure Complications

In a Whipple procedure, a surgeon removes a patient's pancreas head, gallbladder, part of the bile duct and the duodenum (a part of the small intestine). Some patients also have part of their stomachs removed. Whipple procedures are used in the treatment of certain cancers, including pancreatic cancer, in the treatment of benign tumors that occur on the pancreas head, and for chronic pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis).

  1. Diabetes

    • Some patients may develop diabetes after a Whipple procedure. Diabetes is a condition in which the body doesn't properly produce insulin to regulate blood sugar. This can occur after a Whipple procedure because the removal of pancreatic tissue may cause the body to release less insulin. Patients who already have diabetes may experience a worsening of their disease.

    Pancreatic Fistula

    • This complication may result if the suture that attaches the remaining pancreas to the intestine does not heal well, resulting in pancreatic juice leakage. The majority of patients who experience this leakage will heal on their own. However, a small number may need to have another operation.

    Stomach Paralysis

    • According to the University of Southern California, about 25 percent of patients who have a Whipple procedure may experience stomach paralysis. This complication usually gets better in four to six weeks. However, patients may need a feeding tube in order to obtain necessary nutrients because they will not be able to tolerate a normal diet.

    Malabsorption

    • Malabsorption occurs when a patient does not absorb nutrients well. Removal of part of the pancreas also reduces the amount of enzymes that the pancreas can produce. These enzymes are necessary for proper food digestion. Patients who experience this complication often develop oily, bulky diarrhea. They can find relief when treated with oral pancreatic enzyme supplements on a long-term basis.

    Weight Loss

    • Many patients who have a Whipple procedure experience weight loss and often lose 5 percent to 10 percent of their total body weight. This occurs because they are put on a restrictive diet after the surgery. Most patients notice that this complication quickly stabilizes itself, and they often return to their normal weight once they are able to eat relatively regular meals again.

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