Pancreatic intraductal pressure: II. Effects of autonomic denervation

The effects of autonomic denervation, local anaesthesia, and electrical stimulation on pancreatic intraductal pressure were studied in a group of dogs. Pressure studies were performed via a catheter placed in the distal pancreatic duct and by a transsphincteric route. Periampullary application of lidocain produced a decrease in the distal pancreatic duct pressure. Bilateral vagal section resulted in a significant pressure decrease while celiac ganglion plexus denervation produced additional pressure decreases. Electrical stimulation of the ampullary region resulted in a significant pressure increase. With transsphincteric pressure studies, bilateral vagotomy did not produce a significant pressure change, while celiac plexus denervation and pancreatic duct perfusion with lidocainin resulted in a moderate decrease in pressure. Electrical stimulation of the completely denervated perampullary region resulted in a significant pressure increase. These results suggest that the autonomic nervous system may affect the pancreatic ductal pressure, via its action on the sphincter mechanism of the main papilla, as well as on the ductal system. Local duodenopancreatic reflexes may play an additional role in controlling pancreatic duct pressure.