Heterotopic pancreas: report of 7 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the clinical features of patients with heterotopic pancreas, their diagnosis and surgical treatment.


METHODS
Seven patients with heterotopic pancreas were treated surgically in our hospital from August 1992 to March 1999.


RESULTS
Of the 7 patients, 4 had heterotopic pancreas located in the duodenum, 2 in the jejunum, and 1 in the stomach. Four patients experienced abdominal pain, 3 icterus, 1 duodenal obstruction, and 1 digestive tract bleeding. Three patients were complicated by cholelithiasis, and 1 patient was complicated by diverticulum of the jejunum. All seven patients were misdiagnosed or undefined preoperatively. They underwent surgery and were confirmed pathologically.


CONCLUSIONS
Heterotopic pancreas is extremely difficult to diagnose before operation since no specific clinical signs are seen in such patients. Once diagnosed with symptoms or not, the patients should undergo surgery for correct diagnosis and avoidance of relative complications.
Shi
Hong-Qi
HQ
Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China. shhq802260451@ sina.com
Zhang
Qi-Yu
QY
Teng
Hong-Lin
HL
Chen
Ji-Cai
JC
D000328:Adult; D002828:Choristoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003949:Diagnostic Techniques, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas