Why is the gall bladder removed during Whipple procedure?
- Whipple procedure consists of pancreaticoduodenectomy followed by pancreaticojejunostomy, choledochojejunostomy and gastrojejunostomy
- Since the common bile duct is attached to the jejunum, the sphincteric action of sphincter of Oddi is no longer present
- Bile continuously flows from the common bile duct to the jejunum
- Hence the gall bladder can no longer perform its function of storage of bile
- Since gall bladder function is lost, it acts as a focus of infection if retained after surgery
- Hence the gall bladder is removed during Whipple procedure
