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What Kind of Surgery Is Done for Pancreatic Cysts?

A pancreatic cyst is a fluid- filled pocket on or near the pancreas created by a leakage of pancreatic juice. Surgery is performed to create a connection between the cyst and an intestinal organ to allow it to drain.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of pancreatic cysts include: abdominal pain radiating into the back; nausea and vomiting; and an abdominal mass near the pancreas.

    Causes

    • Most often the exact cause of a pancreatic cyst is unknown. Some are associated with a genetic disorder called Von Hippel-Lindau disease; others develop after an episode of pancreatitis.

    Surgical Procedures

    • The three types of surgery used to treat pancreatic cysts include: cystgastrostomy, cystjejunostomy, and cystduodenostomy.

    Cystgastrostomy

    • A cystgastrostomy is performed on cysts located in the body or tail of the pancreas. The cyst is connected to the back wall of the stomach, allowing the fluid to drain into the stomach.

    Cystjejunostomy

    • A cystjejunostomy is also performed on cysts located in the body or tail of the pancreas. In this procedure, the cyst is connected to the small intestine to drain.

    Cystduodenostomy

    • A cystduodenostomy is performed on cysts located in the head of the pancreas. The cyst is connected to the duodenum (the first part of the intestine) where it can drain.

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