The word pancreas comes from the Greek words for the literal translation of: all flesh, pan and kreas (Postier 547). For many years the functions of the pancreas were not known, and the organ was thought to be just an extension of the omentum (or coverings of the intestines). This organ continued to be overlooked by scientists until an autopsy performed in the mid 1600's by Johan Georg Wirsung yielded the discovery of the pancreatic duct. This lead to many questions about what function this structure served and what the purpose of the pancreas was. On a quest to find out the nature of what fluid came from the duct, an anatomist named Regnier de Graaf fashioned a catheter-type device and inserted it into the pancreatic duct of a dog in an attempt to answer this puzzle. His experiment was successful and helped to further educate scientists about this organ (McClusky 1176).
In regards to treatment of pancreatitis, one of the first surgeons to try to aid patients with this affliction was Dr. Allan Whipple. Dr. Whipple is "widely recognized as the father of American pancreatic surgery". His most major contribution was the procedure that shares his name. This procedure, performed in 1934, was a two part surgery that was proven to be very effective (Castillo S3-S4). Dr. Merlin K. Duval, in 1954, pioneered one of the first attempts at a procedure called a "caudal pancreaticojejunostomy", and even though this procedure was not able to be used on many patients, this kick-started the thinking of many doctors to find a solution for blocked pancreatic ducts. A few years later, in 1958, Dr. Charles Puestow devised a technique that helped many patients with large or normal sized ducts. Dr. Charles Fry later solved the dilemma for patients with small ducts, though this typically left the patient as insulin dependent and was considered to be not ideal for heavy drinkers (Postier 549).
It is because of discoveries like these, large and small, that we are able to have the amazing knowledge, understanding, and procedures that we have today to help our patients.
In regards to treatment of pancreatitis, one of the first surgeons to try to aid patients with this affliction was Dr. Allan Whipple. Dr. Whipple is "widely recognized as the father of American pancreatic surgery". His most major contribution was the procedure that shares his name. This procedure, performed in 1934, was a two part surgery that was proven to be very effective (Castillo S3-S4). Dr. Merlin K. Duval, in 1954, pioneered one of the first attempts at a procedure called a "caudal pancreaticojejunostomy", and even though this procedure was not able to be used on many patients, this kick-started the thinking of many doctors to find a solution for blocked pancreatic ducts. A few years later, in 1958, Dr. Charles Puestow devised a technique that helped many patients with large or normal sized ducts. Dr. Charles Fry later solved the dilemma for patients with small ducts, though this typically left the patient as insulin dependent and was considered to be not ideal for heavy drinkers (Postier 549).
It is because of discoveries like these, large and small, that we are able to have the amazing knowledge, understanding, and procedures that we have today to help our patients.
Page editor: Emma Nelsen
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