A cadaveric study of distance between the terminations of the hepato- pancreatic and accessory pancreatic ducts in the duodenal mucosa.

ABSTRACT

Objective: The present paper is about the study of distance between minor and major duodenal papillae which was carried out on 30 cadaveric specimens of human duodeno-pancreas. With introduction of ERCP, the pattern of pancreatic ductal system visualization has attained popularity. Without the knowledge of the normal pattern of the duct system and its variations, a radiologist can’t interpret an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) picture. So it becomes important to study the anatomy of pancreatic ducts, their relation to each other, to common bile duct and to duodenum in the available human cadavers. To visualise and to see distance between minor and major duodenal papillae is necessary for the endoscopist who aims to perform the dilation, stenting, or papillotomy of the minor papilla. ERCP is proved to be “first line” therapeutic tool in the management of surgical, medical and pathological disorders involving the biliary tree and pancreatic duct. Methods: The study was conducted in thirty (20 male and 10 female) cadavers. Major and minor duodenal papillae were visualized through eosin dye installation in both common bile duct and the accessory pancreatic duct. The measurement of distance between the duodenal papillae was done in cm. Results: In the present work, the distance measured between the major and minor duodenal papilla was on an average 1.93+0.61 cm. in females and in males it was 2.05+0.31 cm. Conclusion: The length of the duct shows sexual dimorphism; the length being more in males than females.