[Ectopic pancreas]

We describe ten cases of ectopic pancreas operated on in the Hospital General Universitario, Alicante, between 1970 and 1994. Average age of patients was 47.7 (range 3-75); five men and five women. In four cases there was associated digestive tract bleeding, three had chronic gastroduodenal ulcers, two pancreaticobiliary disease, and one suprarenal abnormalities. In four cases the ectopic gland was found in the gastric antrum; in four cases in the duodenum and in the remaining two cases in the first jejunal loop. Average diameter was 2.3 cm (range 0.6-6). In six cases complete pancreas tissue was found, in three an exocrine pancreas and in one a purely endocrine pancreas. In two patients the presence of the choristoma and the clinical findings due to erosion of the subjacent mucosa may be related. In one case the finding of cholelithiasis, intradiverticular papilla, and periampullar ectopia together with clinical features of recurrent pancreatitis may also be linked. In the remaining seven cases no relationship was found between the ectopic pancreas and the clinical features. Our series suggest that simple resection is best to avoid complications.