[Spontaneous remission of retroduodenal sac fundus syndrome (sump syndrome)]

The Sump syndrome is an infrequent complication of a choledochoenterostomy (choledochoduodenostomy or choledochojejunostomy) performed for recurrent stone disease: a sump or pit develops at the retroduodenal section of the choledochus between the enterostomy and papilla where stones, lithogenic bile and gastrointestinal contents accumulate. This may lead to abdominal pain, pancreatitis and cholestasis and/or cholangitis when sludge obstructs the enterostomy. Surgical treatment has been replaced by endoscopic papillotomy. The major interest of this experience was that regarding migration of the stones to intestine, the spontaneous resolution could be documented in two patients; in other two cases, because of contraindications in one case and for refusing therapy in another, the stones still remain at the retroduodenal choledochus. In a follow up of two to eight years there is a favorable evolution without any surgical or endoscopic treatment of the papilla.