抄録
The reflux of pancreatic juice into the common bile duct and gallbladder is observed in the pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) with various morphological characteristics of the biliary tract. However, the mechanism of pancreaticobiliary reflux (PBR) has not been clarified yet. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mechanism of PBR from the perspective of fluid mechanics. A mathematical model was developed for the bile and pancreatic juice flow based on the flow energy conservation law considering viscous pressure drop from the Hagen–Poiseuille law, fluid mass conservation law, and definition of gallbladder compliance. The flow simulation was computationally conducted using the statistically averaged morphological shape of the tracts and ducts. The simulated gallbladder volume rapidly increased after starting the refill, which was similar to the measured volume change of the human gallbladder. The calculated volume change rate and pressure waveform in the common channel was almost comparable to the measured value in humans. Our mathematical model may easily simulate the bile and pancreatic flow under various conditions. Therefore, it will be a powerful tool for understanding the mechanics of PBR.
