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CC BY 4.0 · Endoscopy 2025; 57(S 01): E608-E609
DOI: 10.1055/a-2608-0621
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Reverse sphincterotomy assisted accessory pancreatic duct cannulation

Authors

  • Fan Fan‡

    1   Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China

  • Jin-Hui Yi‡

    2   Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China

  • Qian Tong

    3   Digestive Endoscopy Center, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN12520)

  • Liang-Hao Hu 

    2   Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
    3   Digestive Endoscopy Center, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN12520)
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A 61-year-old woman admitted to our hospital with pancreatic duct stones. She underwent extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Pancreatography demonstrated significant tortuosity of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) ([Fig. 1] a) and acute angle between the ventral and proximal pancreatic duct which created technical difficulty in advancing the guidewire into the proximal pancreatic duct ([Fig. 1] b). In this context, we attempted cannulation via minor papilla. However, the inconspicuous orifice of the minor papilla rendered cannulation challenging.

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Fig. 1 a Pancreatography demonstrated significant tortuosity of the main pancreatic duct (marked by the white arrows). b A schematic diagram demonstrating the acute angle between the ventral and proximal pancreatic duct (marked by the *) and showing of passage of the guidewire through the main pancreatic duct into the accessory pancreatic duct and subsequent retrograde passage through the minor papilla.

Ultimately, we advanced the guidewire retrogradely through the MPD into the accessory pancreatic duct (APD) and finally into the duodenal lumen via the minor papilla ([Fig. 2] a). A sphincterotome was then passed retrogradely through a minor papilla along the guidewire. Reverse sphincterotomy was performed with the orientation toward 6–8 o’clock and enabled cannulation without any intraoperative complications ([Fig. 2] b, c). Successful cannulation of APD was achieved through minor papilla ([Fig. 3] a). Following dilation of APD with a balloon catheter ([Fig. 3] b), the stones were extracted with a balloon extractor and a retrieval basket ([Fig. 3] c). Two plastic stents (10 Fr, 5 cm and 7 Fr, 10 cm) were subsequently placed into APD ([Fig. 3] d). The patient was observed for 2 days without any complications. And, no abdominal pain was revealed at 1-month follow-up.

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Fig. 2 a The guidewire passed retrogradely through the main pancreatic duct into the accessory pancreatic duct and coiled in the duodenal lumen. b A sphincterotome passed reversely through the minor papilla along the guidewire and performed reverse sphincterotomy. c The orifice of minor papilla after reverse sphincterotomy.
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Fig. 3 a Pancreatography showed successful cannulation through the accessory pancreatic duct. b A balloon catheter was used to dilate the accessory pancreatic duct. c A retrieval basket was used to clear the pancreatic duct stones. d Two plastic stents (10 Fr, 5 cm and 7 Fr, 10 cm) were placed in the accessory pancreatic duct.

ERCP is the first-line treatment for chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients [1] [2] [3]. However, cannulation of MPD can sometimes be difficult in cases such as pancreas divisum, MPD distortion, or obstruction due to pancreatic duct stones. In such scenarios, cannulation of APD serves as an alternative approach [4]. According to the experience of our center, approximately 20% of CP patients achieved treatment through minor papilla. Nevertheless, APD cannulation can be challenging if the orifice of minor papilla is inconspicuous. In this case, we employed a reverse sphincterotomy technique to facilitate the cannulation of minor papilla in a patient with CP, MPD distortion, and an inconspicuous accessory papillary orifice ([Video 1]).

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Reverse sphincterotomy assisted accessory pancreatic duct cannulation.Video 1

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Publication History

Article published online:
18 June 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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