Evaluation and treatment of the dominant dorsal duct syndrome (pancreas divisum redefined)

Abstract

The controversial association of pancreatitis and pancreas divisum was studied in 100 patients (77 women, 23 men, median age 35) with episodic acute pancreatitis (49%) or "pancreatic pain" (51%). Seventy-one had classic pancreas divisum (type 1); 23 had only a dorsal duct with an absent Wirsung's duct (type 2); and 6 had a filamentous connection between the two duct systems (type 3). Accessory papilla sphincteroplasty was performed in 88 patients, with a mean follow-up of 53 months. The orifice was stenotic at the mucosal level in 66 patients. Seventy percent of patients have shown improvement: 85% if the accessory papilla was stenotic, compared with 27% if it was not (p less than 0.0001); and 82% with discrete attacks, compared with 56% with chronic pain (p = 0.002). Judged against intraoperative calibration of accessory papilla orifice diameter, ultrasonography with secretin stimulation was 78% sensitive for accessory papilla stenosis, with 3% false-positive results. Ultrasonography with secretin stimulation was the best predictor of surgical success: positive = 92% success (attacks or pain) versus negative = 40% success (64% with attacks; 21% with pain). There have been seven restenoses with six reoperations. We conclude that (1) pancreas divisum is but one variety of pancreatic anatomy characterized by a dominant dorsal duct and dependence on secretion through the accessory papilla; (2) accessory papilla stenosis appears to be a necessary cofactor to produce a morbid state, whether episodic pancreatitis or pancreatic pain; (3) presentation with pancreatitis and a positive result on the ultrasound-secretin test are the best predictors of successful accessory papilla sphincteroplasty.