During the Whipple procedure, which organ is NOT removed?

During the Whipple procedure, also known as pancreaticoduodenectomy, the primary goal is to remove the head of the pancreas along with other nearby structures that may be affected by disease, particularly cancer. This procedure typically involves the removal of the duodenum, the antrum of the stomach, the gallbladder, and a segment of the common bile duct.

However, the duodenum, being an integral part of the gastrointestinal system that connects the stomach to the jejunum, is specifically excised during the Whipple procedure. Thus, it is not the correct answer to the question regarding which organ is not removed.

The common bile duct, gallbladder, and antrum of the stomach are all removed in this surgical procedure, either due to their close proximity to the diseased pancreatic tissue or their involvement in the pathology. Therefore, the organ that is preserved and not removed during the Whipple procedure is the duodenum, which leads to the conclusion that this option is indeed the correct answer to the question presented.