Do people live without the pancreas?
The pancreas is a very important organ of the digestive systemSystem. She is responsible for the production of insulin and enzymes, which play a leading role in digestion. Violation of its function can lead to such diseases as diabetes and pancreatitis, as well as multiple diseases of the digestive system.
In case of untimely treatment and non-adherence to a special diet, these diseases can lead to pancreatic cancer. To save a patient's life, sometimes it is necessary to remove it( full or partial).You need to understand that you can live without the pancreas.
The view that the removal of this organ leads to rapid lethality has long been obsolete. The medicine steps forward.
At the moment, there is a huge number of substitute drugs that allow to save life, after complete or partial removal of the gland.
Why the gland or part of it is removed
The main and most common indication for its removal is pancreatic cancer. To the causes of its occurrence can be attributed to alcohol abuse, stomach surgery, eating disorders( overeating, eating sharp and fatty foods), diabetes, pancreatitis, smoking and weighed heredity.
Iron is also removed with total pancreatic necrosis and recurrent chronic pancreatitis.
The only correct method of treating cancer to prolong a person's life is surgical intervention. The exception is cases where the disease affects neighboring vital organs. Depending on the location of the cancer, complete or partial removal of the gland is carried out.
Types of surgical intervention:
- Bioliodigestive anastomosis-restoration of bile outflow with endoscopy.
- Gastroenterostomy - the stomach connects to the small intestine in violation of the passage of food.
- Pancreatoduodenal resection.
- Total pancreatoduodenectomy.
How is the gland removed
The pancreas head is most often removed. Operations to remove the entire body are currently rare. But, nevertheless, such cases happen. Pancreas removal refers to complex surgical interventions. It is deep in the abdominal cavity, which complicates access to this organ.
With the help of a laparoscope, you can assess the condition of the gland and begin the operation. At the initial stage, an extensive incision is made on the anterior wall of the abdominal cavity. Then the necessary site of the gland or the whole organ is excised. The average time of intervention is 5 hours. General anesthesia is used.
Complete pancreatomy is a radical surgery, during which the entire organ is removed. After the operation, the patient is disrupted carbohydrate metabolism, insulin in the body can no longer be developed, so for the rest of his life, his injections are needed.
The enzymes required for digestion processes also cease to be excreted. Therefore, we can talk about the need for complete substitution enzyme therapy.
Complete pancreatic pancreatectomy is used extremely rarely, mainly when it needs to be removed, either because of the leakage of the suture, or because of progressive cancer. However, this operation also has advantages. Compared to partial pancreatomy, complete has much less impact.
The postoperative period lasts several days. To restore the patient, radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be prescribed( if the gland is removed due to cancer).The patient receives narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics, insulin and enzymes.
After carrying out such an operation, serious consequences may appear for the body( bleeding, infectious lesions, damage to nerves and nearby organs, diabetes mellitus).But nevertheless to live without a gland it is possible and even it is necessary.
Consequences of pancreas removal:
- diabetes mellitus;
- weight loss;
- obesity;
- digestive disorders.
How to live without the pancreas
Strict diet
You will not be able to live after the operation unless you strictly follow the diet. After discharge from the hospital, the patient is recommended to follow a certain diet( diet 5p).
Its main criteria are that you need to completely abandon fatty, sweet, acute, salty, alcohol and smoking. Prohibited products such as sausage, coffee and strong tea, pastries and fresh bread, all sweets and chocolate, sour-milk products, spices and condiments. In rare cases, you can eat eggs.
Food should only be boiled, cooked steamed or stewed, mashed and predominantly proteinaceous. It is necessary to have vitaminized foods( fresh vegetables and fruits) and abundant drink( mineral water up to 2 liters per day).Daily calorie should not exceed 2000 kcal.
Dishes are served on the table only in a warm form. Is recommended in small portions 5-6 times a day.
The reception of enzymatic additives
Their task is to help digest food.
Alpha-amylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. The dose is selected individually, taking the drug after meals.
Vestal-stimulates digestion.
Micrazyme is a new generation drug. The main active ingredient is pancreatin, which contains enzymes of the pancreas that promote the assimilation of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The dosage is determined by the doctor.
Creon is a replacement therapy with pancreatin.
All of the above enzymes can and should be taken with each meal. They eliminate the feeling of nausea and upset stomach. Fermentotherapy has practically no contraindications and complications, all preparations are easily transferred. The effect is achieved only in the event that during the slightest snack one or another dose( prescribed by the doctor) of the drug is taken.
Insulin therapy
Without a gland, you can only live if you adhere to this type of therapy. Apply several types of insulin, which are the most similar to insulin, produced by the gland.
At the moment this drug is used only in the form of injections. There are convenient insulin syringes, with which you can easily make an injection anywhere.
It is necessary to purchase a glucometer to determine the blood sugar level on your own in a timely manner.
After removal of the pancreas, all people are required to undergo a medical examination every year: laboratory tests, ultrasound( computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging), blood and urine tests. This is necessary to detect possible consequences and adjust the medication.
There are times when people live without a gland until old age. Experts predict the life of such patients within five years. If you follow all the principles of substitution therapy and dietary nutrition, you can live much more.
Pancreas transplantation( transplantation)
Few people can do this organ transplant. This operation is very expensive and complicated. It is extremely difficult to find a donor organ, since the gland is very fragile. Therefore, not every specialist is able to perform transplant operations. Not so long ago, similar procedures began to be done in Russia.
The leading countries for pancreas transplantation are the USA, Germany, Italy and Israel.
