Abstract
The endoscopic papillotomy of the minor papilla was performed successfully by using a papillotome of needle type (fistulotome) in three cases ; one case of pancreas divisum and two cases of chronic pancreatitis. The new method gave the accurate diagnosis to the case of pancreas divisum by ERCP through the opened minor papilla, and it relieved persistent symptom from two cases of chronic pancreatitis by improvement of pancreatic drainage. No severe complications were experimenced except slight epigastric pain in this series. It is concluded that the endoscopic papillotomy of the minor papilla is useful as a palliation of treatment of chronic pancreatitis and as a diagnostic method of pancreas divisum, failed in accessorius pancreatogram by ERCP. My experience is too small, but the endoscopic treatment to the pancreatic diseases will be tried actively not only through the major papilla but also through the minor papilla in the near future.
