Sutures and Wound Repair/ General Surgery (ABSA) Practice Test

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Enhance your knowledge in General Surgery with our Sutures and Wound Repair test. Tackle multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations to ensure readiness for your exam!

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In a Whipple procedure for carcinoma of the pancreas, which part of the pancreas is removed?

Body of pancreas
Tail of pancreas
Head of pancreas
Entire pancreas

The correct answer is: Head of pancreas

In a Whipple procedure, also known as pancreaticoduodenectomy, the surgical focus is primarily on removing the head of the pancreas. This procedure is typically indicated for patients with carcinoma of the pancreas, particularly when the cancer is located in the head region. The head of the pancreas is where most pancreatic tumors occur, and the Whipple procedure aims to excise not only the head of the pancreas but also adjacent structures that may be affected by the tumor. These structures include the duodenum, gallbladder, a portion of the bile duct, and possibly a section of the stomach, depending on the extent of the disease. Removing only the head of the pancreas allows for the potential removal of cancerous tissue while preserving as much normal pancreatic function as possible, which is crucial for digestive processes. This targeted approach is key in managing pancreatic cancer effectively. In contrast, removing the body or tail of the pancreas or the entire pancreas is not characteristic of the Whipple procedure and would be indicated in different contexts or for different types of pancreatic conditions.