Relationship of Prolonged Drainage of Bile through Pancreatic Duct System to Pancreatitis.

Abstract

The entire flow of bile in 11 dogs was diverted through the pancreatic duct system by anastomosing the main pancreatic duct to the gallbladder and obstructing the common bile duct. Bile passed from the gallbladder through the pancreatic ducts and into the intestine through the accessory pancreatic duct orifice or through a surgical anastomosis between the pancreatic duct and intestine. Eight of the 11 dogs did not develop a significant degree of pancreatitis; 2 developed local areas of pancreatic necrosis; and only one developed a full-blown acute pancreatic necrosis. Apparently, bile in the pancreatic duct system can be tolerated for long periods without serious damage to the pancreas.