TP After A Whipple

[Guest guest]

Cecelia,

You wrote, " Re: " ..people have shared that if one has the Whipple..then

he/she cannot be a candidate for the TP later. Is that true? "

It seems that several people addressed this already. I was curious if you

were referring to the TP/ICT or just the TP in your original question?

Generally,

if you have had a Whipple already, there will be a significant reduction in

islet cells [even though a significant number are, in deed, housed in the tail

of the pancreas]. Some people do salvage the islet cells from a Partial

Pancreatectomy, and still have the remaining Pancreatectomy later, transplanting

the

islets in that portion of the pancreas at that time. The opinions are TNTC

(too numerous too count) to discuss how many islets you actually lose in a

Whipple. So I won't go there, either. :-)

Where does you surgeon stand on this? Have you asked him/her about the

potential for future surgeries following this Whipple? I would also ask to have

the

specific surgery outlined before hand. There are several variation s on the

Whipple today, that the surgical procedure actually performed, while termed a

'Whipple,' probably is not as aggressive as the original surgical procedure.

And, that, of course, leaves you in a more favorable position for future

surgical

and treatment considerations.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

http://www.pancassociation.org

Pancreatitis Association International