Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure)

Pancreaticoduodenectomy, or the Whipple procedure, is the reference operation for treating tumours of the head of the pancreas and of the neighbouring region: the lower part of the bile duct, the ampulla of Vater and the duodenum. It consists of removing, in a single block, the head of the pancreas, the duodenum, the gallbladder and the lower part of the bile duct. After this removal, the surgeon reconstructs the digestive circuit by joining the remaining pancreas, the bile duct and the stomach to the intestine. This meticulous reconstruction phase determines the quality of the post-operative course and is carried out with the utmost care. The Whipple procedure is considered one of the most complex operations in digestive surgery. It requires a highly experienced team, specialised anaesthesia, advanced intra-operative monitoring and post-operative surveillance in an intensive care unit. Each indication is validated after an exhaustive work-up and a multidisciplinary discussion. Clinique Pasteur Tunis is among the institutions with the expertise and technical facilities required for this exceptional surgery: surgeons well versed in major digestive surgery, a multipurpose intensive care unit and personalised support for the patient and their family at every stage.