Cochrane

Background The pancreas is an organ in the abdomen that secretes pancreatic juice that aids digestion; and it contains cells that produce important hormones such as insulin. Partial removal of the pancreas (pancreatic resection) is performed to remove cancerous and non-cancerous growths in the pancreas. During this process, new connections (anastomoses) ...

Review question Is drain use able to reduce postoperative complications after pancreatic surgery? Background The use of surgical drains has been considered mandatory after pancreatic surgery. The role of drain use to reduce complications after pancreatic surgery (called postoperative complications) is controversial. Study characteristics We searched for ...

Background The pancreas is a digestive gland situated in the upper abdomen, which is also vital to normal control of blood sugar. Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in industrialized nations. The standard surgical treatment for cancer of the head of the gland and precancerous abnormalities is partial removal of the pancreas, ...

Review question How well do different scans identify whether pancreatic and periampullary cancer is resectable (can be surgically removed) in patients with pancreatic cancer in whom computed tomography (CT) scan suggests that the cancer can be removed? CT scan involves a series of X-rays which are combined by a computer to provide detailed images ...

Background The pancreas is an organ situated in the abdomen close to the junction of the stomach and small bowel. It secretes digestive juices which are necessary for the digestion of all food materials. The digestive juices secreted in the pancreas drain into the upper part of the small bowel via the pancreatic duct. The bile duct is a tube which ...

Review question Are pancreatic stents useful in preventing pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy? Background There is no accord in studies on whether the use of stents is beneficial and, if so, whether the use of internal or external stents, with or without replacement is preferable. Study characteristics The use of stents following ...

Review question How does key-hole (laparoscopic) abdominal surgery compare with standard access (open) abdominal operation for people with pancreatic cancer? Background The pancreas is an organ in the abdomen that secretes pancreatic juice that aids digestion and contains cells that produce important hormones such as insulin. The pancreas can be ...

Review question It is unclear whether the pylorus-preserving Whipple procedure results in a higher rate of recurrence of the tumour because it is less extensive and therefore may be less radical, but it is also unknown whether quality of life is decreased after removal of the lower portion of the stomach. Another uncertainty is whether the two methods ...

Review question To understand whether stapler or hand-sewn closure is safer and more effective for distal pancreatectomy (removing the tail of the pancreas). Background The pancreas is an abdominal organ producing enzymes that aid in digestion and regulation of blood sugar. Cancer of the pancreas is one of the most lethal types of cancer, and the ...

Background The pancreas is an organ in the abdomen which secretes digestive juices for the digestion of food. It also harbours the insulin secreting cells which maintain the blood sugar levels. Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer. Surgery to remove the cancer improves survival. However, a third of patients with pancreatic cancer have locally ...