What is Pancreas?
The pancreas is a gland, about six inches long, located in the abdomen. It is shaped like a flat pear and is surrounded by the stomach, small intestine, liver, spleen and gallbladder. The wide end of the pancreas on the right side of the body is called the head. The middle sections are the neck and body. The thin end of the pancreas on the left side of the body is called the tail. The uncinate process is the part of the gland that bends backwards and underneath the head of the pancreas. Two very important blood vessels, the superior mesenteric artery and superior mesenteric vein, cross behind the neck of the pancreas and in front of the uncinate process. The pancreas is both an exocrine gland and endocrine gland and has two main functions – digestion and blood sugar regulation.
The Pancreas and Digestion
Exocrine cells of the pancreas produce enzymes that help with digestion. When food enters the stomach, exocrine cells release the pancreatic enzymes into a system of small ducts that lead to the main pancreatic duct. The pancreatic duct runs the length of the pancreas and carries pancreatic enzymes and other secretions, collectively called pancreatic juice.
The main pancreatic duct connects with the common bile duct, which carries bile from the gallbladder, and together they connect with the duodenum at a point called the ampulla of Vater. Here, bile and pancreatic enzymes enter the duodenum to aid with the digestion of fats, carbohydrates and proteins.
PANCREATIC SURGERY
Pancreas is very delicate organ and operating on pancreas needs good training and experience. With his 4 years work experience at Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Dr Yogesh Bang has learnt and operated lot of pancreas related cases. He is expert in performing Whipples pancreatico-duodenectomy and has performend more that 30 procedures. He is also well versed with surgery of Chronic pancreatitis. Pancreas is his area of interest and Dr Bang has delivered lectures on Management of Chronic pancreatitis at various CME and Conferences.
Pancreatic surgeries which we do –
- Whipples pancreaticoduodenectomy – For carcinoma head of pancreas
- Lateral Pancreatico-jejunostomy for Chronic pancreatitis
- Frey’s Pancreatico-jejunostomy for Chronic Pancreatitis
- Distal Pancreatectomy
- Central Pancreatectomy
- Cysto-gastrostomy for pseudocyst of pancreas
