Common bilio pancreatic channel syndrome in Chilean adults

Background: The Common Channel Syndrome (CCS) is defined as the union of th e biliary and pancreatic ducts outside of the duodenal wall with a common d uct more than 15 mm long. It is classified morphologically in types 1 and 2 , whether it is the countries. It is described particularly in children and has not yet been reported in Chile. Aim: To report the frequency of CCS am ong patients subjected to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (E RCP). Patients and methods: Between 1992 and 1998, 1860 ERCPs were performe d for the diagnosis of biliary or pancreatic disease. Results: In six patie nts (0.35%) a CCS was diagnosed (3 type 1 and 3 type 2). All patients prese nted with pain and three with jaundice. Four patients had a previous cholec ystectomy, three due to cholelithiasis and one due to gallbladder cancer. A common bile duct resection and bilioenteric anastomosis was done in three patients with a favorable outcome. Two patients with an advanced age and on e with a gallbladder cancer, were not operated. Conclusions: CCS was found in 0.35% of patients subjected to an ERCP. It frequently presents in associ ation with one or more bilio-pancreatic disease: cholelithiasis, choledocol ithiasis, cholangitis, pancreatitis and gallbladder cancer. Resection of th e common bile duct and a bilio-enteric anastomosis is proposed as the surgi cal treatment.