The Histology of the Ampulla of Vater following Transduodenal Sphincterotomy

Abstract

The ampullar region in 38 patients subjected to transduodenal sphincterotomy has been examined macroscopically and histologically.

The series was divided into two groups: 21 patients with choledocholithiasis or pancreatitis and 17 with a more doubtful diagnosis of organic biliary tract disease, or with definite predominance of subjective complaints.

Histologic examination of the sphincter region gave no evidence to suggest an organic basis of sphincteric disorders. Neither did a comparison between sphincter tissues from patients of the clinical series and from autopsy cases of 38 patients with and 38 patients without biliary tract diseases reveal any differences worth mentioning in histologic structure. More particularly there was no unquestionable preponderance of sphincteric fibrosis in the clinical series.

Key-words:

• Liver
• bile ducts
• biliary tract
• biliary tract diseases
• surgery
• histology