Endoscopic approach through the minor papilla for the management of pancreatic diseases

Table 1 Patient demographics and procedure indications

Number of patients	34
Mean age (range)	55 (13–79)
Male/female	19/15
Patients with pancreas divisum	16
ERCP sessions through the minor papilla	44
Total ERCPs during the study period	1418
Rate of minor papilla approach	3.10%
Causes of difficult access through the major papilla	44
Pancreas divisum (complete/incomplete)	20 (17/3)
Distortion of Wirsung’s duct	16
Stenosis or compression of Wirsung’s duct	6
Other	2
Diagnostic ERCP	26
Indications
Cystic neoplasm (IPMN/ MCN/ SCN)	7 (5/1/1)
AIP	5
Pancreas divisum	4
RAP	5
Pancreatic mass	3
Others	2
Pancreatic juice cytology (with ENPD/ with POPS)	11 (4/ 2)
Therapeutic ERCP	18
CP	8
RAP	5
Pancreatic pseudocyst	4
Pancreatic trauma	1
Minor papillotomy	17
Needle-knife	13
Pull-type papillotome	4

ERCP: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; IPMN: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm; MCN: Mucinous cystic neoplasm; SCN: Serous cystic neoplasm; AIP: Autoimmune pancreatitis; CP: Chronic pancreatitis; RAP: Recurrent acute pancreatitis; ENPD: Endoscopic nasopancreatic drainage; POPS: Peroral pancreatoscopy.