Anomalous pancreatico-biliary junction--report of a new experimental model and review of the literature.

A model of anomalous pancreatico-biliary junction was developed and used to investigate a possible role in the development of choledochal cyst and tumors of the biliary tract. An anastomosis was constructed between an isolated pancreas-duodenal segment and the gallbladder in 20 minipigs, but the results did not show any subsequent dilatation of the biliary tract, although intestinal metaplasia was observed in 20% of the animals. The severity of the epithelial changes was proportional to the duration of the experiment and may represent a premalignant change. A critical review of all reported animal models of anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction also is provided.