Endotherapy for Pancreas Divisum

Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2023 Oct;33(4):789-805. doi: 10.1016/j.giec.2023.04.012. Epub 2023 May 26.

Abstract

Pancreas divisum (PD) is a common anatomic variant of the pancreatic duct. Causal association between PD and pancreatitis has been debated for many years. Minor papilla sphincterotomy (miES) is offered in clinical practice to patients with idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis (iRAP) and PD. However, available data originate mainly from observational studies with many limitations. An ongoing international, multicenter, sham-controlled trial is evaluating the efficacy of miES in iRAP and PD. Endoscopic therapy for pain relief has limited to no benefit in patients with chronic abdominal pain or chronic pancreatitis who have PD and is not recommended.

Keywords: Minor papilla intervention; Minor sphincterotomy; Pancreatic divisum.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Biliary Tract*
  • Humans
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Pancreas Divisum*
  • Pancreatitis, Chronic* / complications
  • Pancreatitis, Chronic* / surgery