Pancreas

The pancreas is located at the deepest area in the abdomen just in front of the spine and the aorta, and behind the stomach and the transverse colon. It is in direct relation to very significant and crucial blood vessels, such as the superior mesenteric artery and vein, and the portal vein. The pancreas secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar levels (insulin and glucagon), and enzymes (amylase and lipase), which are essential to the digestion of fat and protein.

The conditions of the pancreas that are presented here are Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis, along with their complications (i.e.: Pseudocysts), and also tumors of the pancreas (cancer and cysts). Pancreatic diseases are usually complex, pancreatic imaging in CT or MRI can be very challenging to interpret correctly, indications for surgery of the pancreas can be tricky and dedicated expertise is essential, and finally actual surgery of the pancreas is by far the most technically demanding kind of abdominal surgery. For all these reasons, patients with pancreatic pathology should be referred to physicians and teams with a long, proven dedication and track record in the study and management of the pancreas.