Expert consensus on endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of the benign pancreaticobiliary junction disease (2023 edition)

Abstract

The pancreaticobiliary junction (PBJ) stands as a pivotal "hub" where the bile and pancreatic ductsmerge, directing the flow rate and direction of bile and pancreatic juice. Benign pancreaticobiliary junction diseases(BPBJD) can lead to compromised outflow of bile and pancreatic secretions, resulting in elevated pressures within the bile and pancreatic ducts, causing ductal dilation, secretion stasis, and stone formation.Furthermore, BPBJD can shift the direction of bile and pancreatic juice, inducing pancreaticobiliary reflux, bile-pancreatic reflux, or enterobiliary reflux, thereby causing both acute and chronic inflammation and tumors in the biliopancreatic system. Owing to the unique anatomical position of the PBJ and the often intricate and elusive symptoms of benign diseases in this region, clinicians might mainly address standard biliary and pancreatic diseases, overlooking the primary issues associated with the PBJ.Such oversight can yield less-than-optimal clinical outcomes. In response to this, the Gallbladder-Preserving Surgery Committee, Endoscopy Specialist Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association and the editorial board of the National Medical Journal of China assembled renowned domestic experts from the fields of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery and digestive endoscopy. Drawing upon the latest domestic and international research findings, as well as the clinical expertise of specialists from related fields within China, they have collaboratively developed an expert consensus on the endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of BPBJD. The overarching aim is to propagate and standardize the diagnosis and treatment approaches for BPBJD.