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Published on: June 28, 2021
Pancreatic duct obstruction triggers acute necrotizing pancreatitis in the opossum
M M Lerch1, A K Saluja, M Rünzi
1Harvard Medical School, Harvard Digestive Diseases Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Background:
The common channel theory suggests that bile reflux, through a common biliopancreatic channel, triggers acute pancreatitis. In the present study, this controversial issue was evaluated using an experimental model of hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis.
Methods:
American opossums underwent ligation of the pancreatic duct alone, bile and pancreatic duct separately, or common biliopancreatic duct; the severity of pancreatitis was evaluated at selected times after ligation.
Results:
Animals in all three experimental groups developed hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis; the severity of pancreatitis was similar in each group, although only those subjected to common biliopancreatic duct ligation experienced bile reflux.
Conclusions:
Bile reflux into the pancreatic duct, via a common biliopancreatic channel, is not necessary for the development of pancreatitis and does not worsen the severity of pancreatitis associated with pancreatic duct obstruction in this model.
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