DIABETOLOGY
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body does not create enough insulin or cannot use it properly. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose or blood sugar. Insufficient insulin results in higher glucose levels in the blood, leading to serious health problems. Hyperglycemia, also called raised blood glucose or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and, over time, leads to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels. This ailment is generally a disorder of the pancreatic glands. The treatment may involve a surgical procedure; the choice of surgical procedure depends on various factors, including the extent of pancreatic damage, the location of the affected areas, the patient’s overall health, and their preferences
Some of the procedures involving the pancreas are as follows:
- Pancreaticojejunostomy (drainage procedures): This procedure involves creating a connection between the pancreas and the jejunum (part of the small intestine), which helps bypass blockages in the pancreatic duct system, allowing better drainage of pancreatic juices and reducing pain.
- Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure): It is the removal of the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, the gallbladder, and the bile duct.
- Distal pancreatectomy: Distal pancreatectomy is the removal of the tail and sometimes part of the body of the pancreas.
- Total pancreatectomy with islet auto transplantation (TPIAT): Total removal of the pancreas with transplantation of insulin-producing cells (islets) to the liver, aimed at alleviating pain while preserving some insulin production to prevent diabetes.
Post-surgical management often involves close monitoring, pain management, and adjustments to diet and lifestyle to optimize outcomes and quality of life.