Endoscopic Pancreatocholangiography: Progress and Problem

Abstract

In Nagoya, Japan, an endoscopic team under Tatsuzo Kasugai is using duodenal fiberscopes to cannulate the papilla of Vater, with a recent success rate of 97 per cent.^{1 , 2} This rate, claimed for cannulation of intact patients given no more than atropine, meperidine, and an intravenous antispasmodic, bests what many an experienced surgeon might attain in intubating the papilla under direct vision for purposes of operative pancreatography. Nor is the Nagoya group unique in its dexterity, for several other Japanese endoscopists enjoy what appear to be comparable skills. Japan, indeed, has become the world center for endoscopic cannulation of the papilla, . . .