Violent hiccups after Whipple surgery. So violent, the stent broke free and had so much swelling, the surgeon was unable to go back in and correct the problem. Not one to mince words, his words were “ NO chance of survival!” The only thing that helped was a young male nurse ordered throat lozenges from the pharmacy and had me hold them on the roof of my mouth with my tongue. That was good for several hours of relief. After four or five days, the hiccups went away with infrequent bouts during chemotherapy.