Objective: To evaluate the complications, technical success, diagnostic evaluation and various endoscopic management options in patients with pancreas divisum.
Study design: Descriptive study.
Place and duration of study: Endoscopy Suite, Surgical Unit 4, Civil Hospital, Karachi, from January 2007 to December 2013.
Methodology: All Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-pancreatography (ERCPs) procedure performed in patients with pancreas divisum were analyzed. Success was defined as having authentic diagnostic information or a successful endoscopic therapy for the condition.
Results: During the study period, 3600 patients underwent 4500 ERCPprocedures. Pancreas divisum was found in 17 patients (0.47%); 7 ERCPs (41.2%) were performed for diagnostic and 10 (58.8%) for therapeutic purposes. Sixteen (94.1%) had complete PD and one (5.9%) had incomplete PD. Male and Female ratio was 1:1.83 with a mean age of 26.3 years and median symptom duration of 11 months. Atotal of 23 procedures were performed in 17 patients; 2 had ERCP done thrice, 2 underwent the procedure twice, while the rest had single procedure done. Six (35.3%) patients had chronic pancreatitis, 7 (41.2%) had acute recurrent pancreatitis and 4 (23.5%) had acute pancreatitis. Endoscopic minor papillotomy was performed. There was no procedure-related mortality. ERCPaffected management in 88.2% (15/17 procedures).
Conclusion: ERCPis a safe and feasible procedure for pancreas divisum patients.