Common Bile Duct Motility and Sphincter Mechanism

Abstract

Motility studies in the common bile duct using a double or triple lumen catheter were performed on 18 mongrel dogs. There is an intrinsic contractile rhythm of the sphincter of Oddi. Other variations in pressure in the sphincter zone are postulated to be due to ampullary filling and emptying as a result of a functionally triple sphincter mechanism. Rhythmic pressure variations in the common duct tracings are believed to be due to respiration, transmitted sphincteric activity and transmitted ampullary emptying and filling. No common duct peristalsis could be demonstrated. On the basis of this experimental study further doubt is cast upon the efficacy of conventional transduodenal or endocholedochal sphincterotomy alone in ablating the muscular activity of the sphincter of Oddi.