pancreatectomy
(pan″krē-ă-tek′tŏ-mē )
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(pang″krē-ă-tek′tŏ-mē)
[ pancreat- + -ectomy ]
Surgical removal of part or all of the pancreas. Total pancreatectomy produces diabetes mellitus because of the removal of insulin-producing cells; exogenous insulin must therefore be administered. After a subtotal partial pancreatectomy, diabetes may develop afterwards because the remaining islets may be unable to handle the increased demands placed on them.
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