The American Cancer Society estimates that 56,770 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019. Left untreated, this aggressive disease can spread to and damage neighboring tissue and organs. As a result, surgery is often the only reliable method to cure pancreatic cancer. This can involve removing just part of the pancreas or the entire pancreas and parts of affected surrounding organs. For someone who, until recently, may have been exhibiting little to no symptoms, this can be overwhelming. For this reason, it’s imperative that those seeking pancreas surgery in Tampa turn to a surgeon with the experience, steady hands, and advanced equipment to properly treat pancreatic cancer.
Whalen Clark, M.D., is the leading practitioner in robotic and minimally invasive surgery in the Tampa Bay area. Using the da Vinci® surgical system, Dr. Clark is capable of removing pancreatic tumors and operating on other pancreatic diseases with a level of precision that would be impossible with traditional methods. Depending on the diagnosis, one of the following surgeries may be recommended:
- Pancreaticoduodenectomy
- Distal pancreatectomy
- Total pancreatectomy
Minimally Invasive Pancreas Surgery in Tampa
Pancreatic resections are demanding, complex surgeries that previously required multiple large incision sites in the abdomen. Now, the da Vinci® surgical system requires only half-inch incisions to perform an equally effective surgery. The benefits of this minimally invasive robotic surgery are as follows:
- No large incisions
- Incredible magnification and dexterity for the surgeon
- Less blood loss and pain during surgery
- Lower risk of surgical complications
- Faster recovery time
Additionally, the dexterity afforded by the da Vinci® surgical system allows a greater amount of healthy tissue to be spared when affected tissue is removed. Following this procedure, patients are typically up and walking around the very next day and back home soon after.
The Best Pancreatic Surgeon in Tampa Bay
Of course, this impressive equipment could do nothing without an experienced and educated surgeon to operate it. Dr. Whalen Clark is a board-certified general surgeon with years of experience treating abdominal ailments. Dr. Clark completed fellowships in liver surgery and pancreatic surgery at Moffitt Cancer Center and AdventHealth Tampa (formerly Florida Hospital Tampa) and now dedicates himself to guiding and educating his patients through what would otherwise be a difficult process. While the da Vinci® surgical system will be supporting the procedure, it’s Dr. Clark who will be with you in the operating room, just as he’ll be with you every step of the way until the day of surgery. For those seeking the best pancreatic surgeon in Tampa, look no further than to the expertise of Dr. Whalen Clark.
To schedule a consultation with Whalen Clark, M.D., the best pancreatic surgeon in Tampa, please contact us today.
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