Pancreaticoduodenectomy, also known as Whipple procedure, is a complex medical operation that involves the removal of the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine (duodenum), the gallbladder and the bile duct. It is used for treating tumours and other disorders involving the pancreas, intestine and bile duct.
The first-ever Whipple surgery was conducted successfully in India on a six-month pregnant pancreatic cancer patient from Afghanistan. The diagnosis was difficult given abdominal discomfort, nausea and vomiting are common during pregnancy. The surgery was further complicated as the enlarged uterus obscured access to the pancreas.