[Transduodenal papillosphincterotomy. Remarks on 138 cases (1975-1982)]

Transduodenal papillosphincterotomy, largely performed since many years, is still controversial. The retrospective analysis of 138 cases allows a discussion about its indications and some important details of surgical technique. Particularly, the authors report a relative low incidence of serious complications, with peculiar regard to postsurgical acute pancreatitis, and satisfactory long-term results (follow-up ranging from one to eight years) in the 95,2% of cases.