Bypass Surgery

Bypass surgery may also take place if during surgery to remove a tumour it is found that the tumour had spread beyond the pancreas and removing only part of the tumour is not beneficial. Bypass surgery will not remove all the tumour and it used for symptom relief not a cure.

The aim of the surgery is to allow you to recover as quickly as possible (so that more appropriate treatment may be started) and at the same time make sure the liver and stomach continue to work properly. The surgeon will join the bile duct directly to part of the small intestine called the jejunum.

This allows the bile to flow from the liver into the small intestine and in time the jaundice should fade. At the same time your surgeon will connect a piece of small intestine to the stomach, to bypass the duodenum. This will allow your stomach to empty properly and should prevent blockage of the duodenum at a later stage.

How will I feel afterwards?

You may be cared for in a High Dependency Unit (HDU) before going back to the ward. You might be able to start drinking fluids the evening after your operation and gradually start eating solid food. You should be able to go home once you’re eating and drinking has improved, and your jaundice is getting better.