Pancreaticobiliary ductal anatomy in Thai people

The complex anatomy of the pancreaticobiliary duct was studied to demonstrate basic data in Thai people. Fresh specimens of the pancreas, common bile duct, and duodenum were obtained en bloc from the autopsies of 103 patients who had died of causes not related to trauma or disease of these organs. The length of the pancreas, the location of the pancreatic ducts in relation to the surface of the pancreas, the length and types of the common channels, as well as the anatomy of the ampulla, were studied, using methylene blue infusion via the pancreatic duct cannulation and careful dissection. Ninety-three male and 10 female patients were included. Their ages ranged from 15 to 76 years (mean 31.38 +/- 12.98 years). The length of the pancreas ranged from 10.9-19 cm (mean, 15.60 +/- 1.80 cm). The intrapancreatic portion of the common bile duct showed patterns of three types; most common (90/103; 87.38%) was type A, in which the anterior surface of the common bile duct was totally covered, while its posterior surface was partially covered, by the pancreatic parenchyma. On dissection of the accessory duct of Santorini in the pancreatic substance, the accessory duct was traceable to the duodenal wall in 59 specimens (57.26%). The anatomy of the Wirsung-choledochus confluence was grouped into five different types. The common channel (junction of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct) was found in 76.70% of specimens and its length varied from just a common junction (so-called "V-type" anatomy) to 15 mm (Y-type-b). Separate papillae (so-called "II-type") were found in 12. 62% of specimens. Separate openings in the same papilla (so-called "U-type") were found in 10.68% of specimens. The Wirsung duct at the pancreatic neck was most often located posterior and superior in relation to the surface of pancreas. This study demonstrated several important points regarding the anatomy of the pancreaticobiliary junction and pancreatic ductal system in a Thai population. Some of these data were different from those reported in the literature for other population groups.