PANCREECTOMY Meaning and
Definition
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A pancreectomy is a medical procedure in which the pancreas, a vital organ located in the abdomen, is surgically removed or partially removed. The pancreas plays a crucial role in digestion and the regulation of blood sugar levels, producing enzymes and hormones necessary for these functions.
A pancreectomy may be performed for various reasons, including the treatment of pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, or trauma to the pancreas. The procedure can be either total, removing the entire pancreas, or partial, removing only a portion. In some cases, a partial pancreectomy may preserve the functions of the remaining healthy pancreas tissue.
This surgical intervention is a complex procedure that requires careful planning and skilled surgeons. It is typically performed under general anesthesia and may involve an open surgical approach or minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy or robotic-assisted surgery.
After a pancreectomy, patients may experience significant changes in their digestion and blood sugar control. They may require lifelong replacement therapy with pancreatic enzymes to aid in digestion and insulin to manage blood sugar levels. Close monitoring and regular follow-up are necessary to ensure optimal postoperative outcomes.
While a pancreectomy can be life-saving in certain medical conditions, it is a major surgery with potential risks and complications. Therefore, it is important for patients to consult with their healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment plan and understand the potential benefits and risks involved with this procedure.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PANCREECTOMY
- pancratectomy
- oancreectomy
- lancreectomy
- -ancreectomy
- 0ancreectomy
- pzncreectomy
- psncreectomy
- pwncreectomy
- pqncreectomy
- pabcreectomy
- pamcreectomy
- pajcreectomy
- pahcreectomy
- panxreectomy
- panvreectomy
- panfreectomy
- pandreectomy
- panceeectomy
- pancdeectomy
- pancfeectomy
Etymology of PANCREECTOMY
The word "pancreectomy" is derived from two main roots: "pancreas" and "-ectomy".
1. Pancreas: The term "pancreas" comes from the Ancient Greek word "pankreas", which means "sweetbread". It was initially used to refer to the organ's sweet taste. The word was divided into two parts: "pan" meaning "all", and "kreas" meaning "flesh". This is because the pancreas was initially believed to be composed entirely of flesh.
2. -ectomy: The suffix "-ectomy" is of Latin origin and is used to indicate a surgical removal or excision of an organ. It comes from the Latin word "ectomia", which means "cutting out". This suffix is commonly used in medical terminology to denote the excision or removal of various organs or tissues.
