The sphincter of Oddi, sphincterotomy and biliopancreatic disease.

The physiology and pathophysiology of the sphincter of Oddi are poorly understood. The relationships of functional disorders of the sphincter to biliary and pancreatic disease and of organic lesions of the papilla to pancreatic inflammatory disease are subjudice to say the least. The efficacy of sphincter section in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis is unproved. Section of the sphincter may be necessary to treat biliary tract pathology but its use should not be routine or indiscriminative since, there is morbidity as well as mortality. Finally, the price of sphincterotomy is: 1. hemorrhage; 2. duodenal perforation; 3. pancreatic duct damage--a. acute pancreatitis; b. chronic pancreatitis; 4. sphincter incompetence--a. common duct regurgitation--cholangitis; b. pancreatic duct regurgitation--pancreatitis; 5. sphincter stenosis--obstructive jaundice; 6. stasis cholecystitis; 7. diarrhea; 8. morbidity 10%; 9. mortality 1.9%.