Endoscopic therapy for recurrent pancreatitis complicated with pancreatolithiasis in a case of annular pancreas.

Annular pancreas is a congenital abnormality in which part of the pancreatic head completely or partially surrounds the duodenum in a ring-like manner. The condition is thought to be an abnormality of the ventral pancreatic bud. While pancreatitis is a common complication of the annular pancreas, its recurrence may be prevented by improving the outflow of pancreatic juice. The present case report describes a 23-year-old woman who had been referred to our hospital for recurrent pancreatitis since childhood. An endoscopic incision was made on the orifice of the annular pancreas, after which pancreatitis of the annular pancreas did not recur for 6 years. The patient subsequently exhibited pancreatolithiasis in the dorsal pancreatic duct, which was successfully treated with endoscopic treatment. Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy may prevent the recurrence of pancreatitis and avoid further surgical interventions by improving the flow of pancreatic juice.