The Department of Pancreatic Surgery, headed by Pr. Zerbi, performs 250 surgeries and sees over 1100 patients annually.

Treating pancreatic disorders and tumours requires special expertise and the work of a dedicated team, as these tumours are relatively rare and involve complex diagnostics and surgery.

The Humanitas Pancreatic Surgery Department has considerable experience in treating pancreatic and duodenal diseases and actively collaborates with other specialized departments at Humanitas (Gastroenterology, Endoscopy, Oncology, Radiotherapy, Radiology, Nuclear medicine, Diabetology, Endocrinology, and Anatomical Pathology), to offer the appropriate medical expertise and the most up-to-date technology to diagnose, treat, and research these disorders. The team also works with numerous other Italian and foreign scientific centers (such as the Karolinska in Stockholm and Dublin St. Vincent Hospital), to help expand clinical knowledge, especially regarding the biological, metabolic and immune classification of pancreatic tumors, in order to develop more effective therapies .

Pancreatic surgery is considered one of the most complex among abdominal surgical operations, and typically carries high risk. Various scientific studies have demonstrated that the risk of serious complications following pancreatic surgery is reduced in centers that perform these operations on a regular basis.

Humanitas Pancreatic Surgery Unit is experienced in performing both standard pancreatic resections and atypical operations, saving the pancreatic parenchima in cases of benign or low-grade malignant tumours.

The majority of operations must be performed with “traditional” surgery, that is, with a classic incision of the abdominal wall, owing to the high technical difficulty of this operation. However, in certain cases it is possible to perform the operation laparoscopically, that is, with a mini invasive technique, which involves less post-operative pain and the same treatment efficacy.

The Humanitas Pancreatic Surgery Unit pays great attention to perioperative management (pain management, mobilization, nutrition etc.), adopting enhanced recovery programs in close collaboration with anesthetists and specialized nurses.