Pancreatic Surgery Using a Minimally Invasive Approach (Laparoscopy) with Intraoperative Ultrasound Assistance
The pancreas is a pear-shaped gland located behind the abdominal cavity. It plays a vital role in various processes in the human body, including the production of pancreatic juices containing enzymes that aid in digestion and the secretion of hormones.
Pancreatic surgeries are considered some of the most complex procedures in the field of surgery due to their anatomical structure, location, and connections to major blood vessels and other vital organs.
As a result, many medical centers both in Israel and worldwide opt to offer the laparoscopic approach for these surgeries. This technique involves making small incisions in the abdominal wall and performing the surgery under the guidance of a camera that transmits video to the surgical team. Despite the numerous proven advantages of this technique, such as shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, fewer complications, and significant pain reduction, it presents a dual challenge for surgeons due to the specialized equipment and skills required for these laparoscopic surgeries and the inherent complexity of traditional open surgical approaches for pancreatic surgeries.
The Department of Surgery at Shaare Zedek Medical Center is one of the leading centers in the country, with substantial international experience. Within the department, routine laparoscopic pancreatic surgeries are performed, and one of the essential tools assisting the surgeon during these laparoscopic procedures is the intraoperative ultrasound (transabdominal scanning) device. This device, with a diameter of 10 mm, is inserted through a similar-sized opening in the abdominal wall, and as the surgeon separates tissues, it provides a real-time view of the depth of the tissue, accurately identifying the location, size, and proximity of the growth to major blood vessels and adjacent vital organs. This allows the surgeon to decide on the most suitable surgical procedure and perform it precisely and safely.
The ability to perform real-time imaging during the surgery, even when the growth is not visible to the naked eye, represents a significant breakthrough, enabling the laparoscopic approach for complex pancreatic surgeries. Recently, Professor Reisman, the head of the Department of Surgery, was invited to present the surgical techniques and accumulated experience in this field in a video conference before a forum of over 25 leading medical centers on the West Coast of the United States.