Track 8 : Pancreatic and biliary disease

What Is a Pancreatic and Biliary Condition?

Pancreatic and biliary disorders typically affect the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and/or bile ducts. These conditions are frequently associated with long-term organ or surrounding tissue damage. These issues are sometimes genetically predetermined. When these organs are in trouble, they can cause severe symptoms, but they can also cause problems silently.

Common Signs and Symptoms

The following are examples of pancreatic and biliary symptoms:

1.       Swelling in the abdomen

2.       Dark urine

3.       Diarrhea, particularly with fat droplets in stools

4.       Belching, hiccups, and gas

5.       Skin itch

6.       Jaundice is characterized by a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.

7.       Appetite loss or unexplained weight loss

8.       Nausea

9.       Pain in the upper abdomen that frequently spreads to the mid-back region

10.   Stool that is pale or bloody

11.   Vomiting

 Factors of Risk

While each condition is different, the following are some common risk factors for the development of pancreatic and biliary diseases:

Tobacco consumption

Heavy alcohol consumption

Pancreatic disease genetics and family history

Treatment of Pancreatic and Biliary

If you have a pancreatic or biliary tract disease, the Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases Program will provide you with exceptional care and a personalized treatment plan. Cedars-medical Sinai’s staff performs innovative, minimally invasive, and traditional surgery, as well as nonsurgical treatment options as needed. Every approach is patient-centered, with the goal of assisting you to recover and remain healthy.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

If you have been diagnosed with a pancreatic or biliary condition, you should know that you have many treatment options. Many of these procedures are minimally invasive, with only a small incision required. This usually leads to much faster recovery times and shorter hospital stays than with traditional operations. Among the interventional gastroenterology procedures available at Cedars-Sinai are:

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): This procedure is used to remove or open gallbladder or bile duct obstructions, repair complications from previous surgeries, and reach pancreatic or bile duct tumours for biopsy.

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): EUS is a procedure that uses an endoscope with an ultrasound component on the tip to look beneath the surface of the gastrointestinal tract as well as into surrounding organs. EUS is also used to perform biopsies on tissue growths to determine their nature.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL): ESWL uses sound waves generated by a machine (lithotriptor) placed outside the body to crush stones in the pancreas and bile ducts. Cedars-Sinai is one of the few medical facilities with an on-site lithotriptor and skilled technicians.

Interventional Radiology: Many diagnostic or therapeutic procedures involve the direct injection of an X-ray contrast dye into the bile duct or the placement of external drainage tubes to relieve biliary tract blockages.

Conventional Surgery Options

If your pancreatic or biliary condition cannot be treated endoscopically or with other minimally invasive techniques, your doctor may recommend a more traditional surgical procedure as part of your treatment, such as:

Gallbladder removal: One of the most common surgeries, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) is performed when gallstones, which usually disappear on their own, cause pain or other symptoms of discomfort. Recovery times are significantly reduced when compared to traditional surgical gallbladder removal.

Surgery (resection) is the only way to cure pancreatic cancer; however, not all pancreatic cancers can be operated on. Cedars-Sinai is one of only a few medical centres that performs advanced laparoscopic pancreas and liver resections.

Pancreas surgery: Surgically draining the pancreatic ducts can relieve pain in approximately one-third of chronic pancreatitis patients. Other surgeries combine duct drainage with resection (cutting away of the pancreas head). Some patients may require complete pancreas removal. Pancreatic transplantation may be an option in some cases.

SUB TRACK:

Pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas, Gallstones, Unintentional weight loss, Vomiting and nausea, Acid reflux, Diarrhea, constipation, Fecal incontinence, Fatigue, Loss of appetite, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Hemorrhoids, Diverticulitis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Liver Disease, Colonoscopy, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, Liver transplant service, Complex endoscopy, Nutrition, Hepatobiliary Clinic, Pancreas Clinic, Esophageal Clinic, Colorectal Neoplasia, Motility, Miscellaneous GI testing, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, General GI, Cholera, Enteric duplication cyst, Giardiasis, Pancreatitis, Peptic ulcer disease, Yellow fever, Hepatitis Virus, Hepatitis treatment