The study of anatomy of main pancreatic duct and its variations.

Abstract

Introduction: The duct system of pancreas consists of two large ducts – Main pancreatic duct and Accessory pancreatic duct. Both these ducts drain the entire exocrine part of pancreas. Main pancreatic duct is always present while accessory pancreatic duct may be absent in 30% cases. The study of duct system of pancreas has wide application in pancreatitis, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticogram, pancreatic calculi, carcinoma of pancreas and even in obstructive jaundice caused by gall stone disease and also in gall bladder carcinoma. Materials & Methods: The present study was done in 50 adult formalin fixed pancreatic specimens removed during posterior abdominal wall dissection. Statistical analysis: Done using Mean, Standard deviation, Percentage Results: The study showed that the mean length and standard deviation of the main pancreatic duct was 18.4 ± 2.43 cm and the mean width and standard deviation of the duct was 2.7 ± 0.8 mm, 2.3 ± 0.5 mm 2.1 ± 0.2 mm respectively in the head, body and the tail. The main pancreatic duct coursed from tail to its opening into the duodenum through five various types Descending (46%), Vertical (4%), Loop(2%) , Sigmoid(30%) and Horizontal(18%). The main pancreatic duct opened into the major duodenal papillae in 72% specimens. Conclusion: The mean length of the main pancreatic duct varies from 13.4 to 26.cm, while the width of the duct gradually increases from tail to head. Descending type was most common while loop type was least common type of the main pancreatic duct course. The main drainage route of the pancreas was through major duodenal papilla

Keywords

• main pancreatic duct
• length
• width
• type
• drainage route