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Pancreatectomy

A procedure in which a surgeon takes out part or all of the pancreas (an organ behind the lower part of the stomach that is about the size of a hand). The pancreatectomy may be done, for example, because there is a tumor in the pancreas.

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Excision of the pancreas. SYN: pancreectomy. [pancreat- + G. ektome, excision]

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pan·cre·atec·to·my .paŋ-krē-ə-'tek-tə-mē, .pan- n, pl -mies surgical excision of all or part of the pancreas <a total \pancreatectomy>

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surgical removal of the pancreas. Total pancreatectomy (Whipple's operation) involves the entire gland and part of the duodenum. In subtotal pancreatectomy most of the gland is removed, usually leaving a small part close to the duodenum. In partial pancreatectomy only a portion of the gland is removed. The operations are performed for tumours in the gland or because of chronic or relapsing pancreatitis. After total or subtotal pancreatectomy it is necessary to administer pancreatic enzymes with food to aid its digestion and insulin injections to replace that normally secreted by the gland.

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pan·cre·a·tec·to·my (pan″kre-ə-tekґtə-me) [pancreat- + -ectomy] surgical removal of all or part of the pancreas.

Medical dictionary. 2011.