The Whipple Procedure, also known as a Pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a complex surgical operation used primarily to treat cancer of the pancreas, but it can also be used for tumors in the bile duct, small intestine, and other nearby organs. The procedure is typically indicated for patients with pancreatic cancer that is confined to the head of the pancreas, which is the part closest to the small intestine. The Surgery involves the removal of the head of the pancreas, part of the bile duct, the gallbladder, the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), and sometimes a portion of the stomach. After these parts are removed, the surgeon reconnects the remaining sections of the pancreas, bile duct, and stomach to the small intestine to allow normal digestion.

The goal of the Whipple Procedure is to completely remove the cancerous tissue while preserving as much of the normal digestive function as possible. It is one of the most effective treatments for early-stage pancreatic cancer and other tumors that are localized in the pancreatic head or surrounding areas. However, the surgery is very demanding and carries significant risks, including infections, bleeding, delayed stomach emptying, and leakage from the reconnections of the digestive tract. Due to its complexity, the Whipple procedure should be performed by an experienced surgical team at a specialized medical center.