Endoscopy 2006; 38(5): 521-525
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-925263
Expert Approach
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Endoscopic Resection of Benign Tumors of the Papilla of Vater

S.  Bohnacker1 , N.  Soehendra1 , H.  Maguchi2 , J.  B.  Chung3 , D.  A.  Howell4
  • 1Department for Interdisciplinary Endoscopy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
  • 2Center for Gastroenterology, Teine-Keijinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
  • 3Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
  • 4University of Vermont, Pancreaticobiliary Center, Maine Medical Center, Maine, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Submitted 6 July 2005

Accepted after revision 4 October 2005

Publication Date:
09 May 2006 (online)

Most benign papillary tumors are adenomas which can potentially undergo the adenoma-carcinoma-sequence making complete removal mandatory for curative therapy. Endoscopic resection (papillectomy) of these lesions is being increasingly performed as a less traumatic alternative to surgery. Available data shows endoscopic papillectomy to be effective and safe in experienced hands with usually little morbidity and virtually no mortality. Success rates are around 80 % for lesions without intraductal involvement. Selected cases of limited distal intraductal involvement accessible after sphincterotomy may also be managed curatively by endoscopic resection.
Endoscopic snare resection of entire lesions should be primarily regarded as a diagnostic procedure. It allows for an accurate histological diagnosis based on examination of the entire specimen rather than forceps biopsies and thus a reliable assessment of the need for surgical therapy. Subsequent surgery in operable patients is not precluded by previous endoscopic resection. Surgery is indicated in case of incomplete removal and if malignancy is present. The curative role of endoscopic papillectomy for early invasive carcinoma needs to be established. Histological features and individual risk for surgery are factors to be considered. Inoperable patients may still benefit from palliative endoscopic stenting. After endoscopic papillectomy has been completed, regular follow-up examinations including biopsies are warranted because of the risk of local recurrence. For benign looking papillary tumors, endoscopic papillectomy serves as a diagnostic tool and should be considered as first line procedure regardless of age.
The following article details the approach to patients with benign papillary tumor and the technique of endoscopic papillectomy.

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S. Bohnacker, M. D.

Department for Interdisciplinary Endoscopy

University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf · Martinistr. 52 · 20251 Hamburg · Germany

Fax: +49-40-428034420·

Email: bohnacker@uke.uni-hamburg.de