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
