Pancreatic Mass/Pseudocyst

At North Orlando Surgical Group, we are proud to have established a unique surgical practice characterized by superior skills and extraordinary services both to the patient we care for as well as their referring physicians.  We are recognized in Central Florida for our ability to perform complex procedures in the least invasive way.  Our attentive staff is focused on providing the highest level of personal services and are committed to making every patient’s surgical experience as comfortable and convenient as it can be.

A pancreatic mass or pseudocysts are two types of lesions on the pancreas. A mass may develop as a reaction to pancreatitis or inflammation. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic and can be caused by alcohol abuse, a gallstone blocking the pancreatic duct, or other illnesses like Lupus. The signs of pancreatitis are generally:

• Abdominal pain, which can radiate to the back
• Nausea
• Fever
• Body aches/flu-like symptoms
• Elevated blood sugar
• Pale colored, loose stools

If a pancreatic mass located in the outer lining of the pancreas, it may be possible for it to be excised without removing a section of the pancreas itself. This is done in the operating room under a general anesthetic. You can expect to spend the night. Once discharged home you will be asked to call our office right away to follow up in our office in 4 weeks.

If the mass is located in the center of the gland you may be advised that a central pancreatectomy is more appropriate. In this case the middle portion of the pancreas is removed and the two halves reconnected. This is an open procedure and again, you can expect to spend a couple of days in the hospital to watch for signs of pancreatitis as the pancreas heals. You will need to call our office as soon as you get home to schedule your follow up appointment, which is usually in four weeks.

If the mass is in the tail of the pancreas then a distal pancreatectomy will be recommended. You may or may not have your spleen removed at the same setting. Infections can be harder to fight without a spleen. As such part of your preoperative workup will be asked to get pneumonia, hepatitis and meningitis vaccinations to avoid the potential for developing these infections in the absence of a spleen. Again, this procedure will require you spend a few days in the hospital. You will need to call our office as soon as you get home to schedule your follow up appointment, which is usually in four weeks

A pseudocyst is a fluid filled lesion that can develop in response to infection or inflammation in the pancreas. It is often treated by performing surgery to create a connection between the pseudocyst and either the stomach, jejunum or the duodenum. Doing so allows the fluid to drain out of the cyst and into the small intestine. This may sometimes be performed laparoscopically, but more often is done through an open incision. You can expect to stay a night or two in the hospital. You will need to call our office as soon as you get home to schedule your follow up appointment, which is usually in four weeks.

Surgery on the pancreas can be technically challenging. It is important to choose a surgeon with the skills and expertise to perform it successfully. Here at North Orlando Surgical Group our surgeons not only have this expertise, but the caring to guide you through your surgery. Call our office today for a consultation to discuss your options for treatment!