Pancreas divisum is a birth defect in which parts of the pancreas do not join together. The pancreas is a long, flat organ located between the stomach and spine. It helps in food digestion.

Pancreatic divisum

Pancreas divisum is the most common birth defect of the pancreas. In many cases, this defect goes undetected and causes no problems. The cause of the defect is unknown.

As a baby develops in the womb, two separate pieces of tissue join together to form the pancreas. Each part has a tube, called a duct. When the parts join together, a final duct, called the pancreatic duct, is formed. Fluid and digestive juices (enzymes) produced by the pancreas normally flow through this duct.

Pancreas divisum occurs if the ducts do not join while the baby develops. Fluid from the two parts of the pancreas drains into separate areas of the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum). This occurs in 5% to 15% of people.

If a pancreatic duct becomes blocked, swelling and tissue damage (pancreatitis) may develop.

Many people do not have any symptoms. If you have pancreatitis, symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain, most often in the upper abdomen that may be felt in the back
• Abdominal swelling (distention)
• Nausea or vomiting

The following treatments may be needed if you have symptoms of the condition, or if pancreatitis keeps returning:

• ERCP with a cut to enlarge the opening where the pancreatic duct drains
• Placement of a stent to prevent the duct from getting blocked

You may need surgery if these treatments do not work.

Most of the time, the outcome is good.

The main complication of pancreas divisum is pancreatitis.

Contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of this disorder.

Because this condition is present at birth, there is no known way to prevent it.

Published Date: October 25, 2021
Published By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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