Department of Pancreatic Surgery @ Ospedale San Raffaele

The Department of Pancreatic Surgery of San Raffaele is one of the first in Europe in the number of operations and low mortality. The high level of experience and specialization of the unit is proven by more than 1000 pancreatic resections performed over the last 3 years. The volume of surgeries is a key indicator since pancreatic diseases are rare, diagnostics are difficult, and pancreatic surgery is considered the most complex of all abdominal surgery. 

Equally fundamental is the multidisciplinary approach. This is why the Department of Pancreatic Surgery collaborates with other units of the hospital within the Pancreas Center, also directed by Prof. Massimo Falconi, where each case is discussed collegially by surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, radiation oncologists, endocrinologists, nutritionists and psychologists. 

The quality of care offered is also achieved through the hospital's expertise in pancreatic endoscopy, essential diagnostic testing, and the work of the Medical Oncology Unit, which is a national reference center in the oncological treatment of pancreatic cancer. It is thanks to this close collaboration that we are among the few centers to offer neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols (before surgery), which can improve the outcome of operations.

The main pathologies treated are:

• Malignant and benign tumors, such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma,
• neuroendocrine tumors (NET)
• intraductal mucinous papillary neoplasms (IPMN)
• cystic tumors of the pancreas
• tumors of the biliary tract, ampulla of Vater and duodenum
• acute and chronic pancreatitis (usual and genetic).

• Pancreatic islets auto transplantation
• Endoscopic Ultrasonography
• Pancreatic biopsies with (ROSE) procedure
• Endoscopic ultrasound-guided treatments