Manometric evaluation of the papilla of Vater

Manometric recordings were obtained using a single lumen perfused catheter that was inserted by duodenoscopy into the orifice of the papilla of Vater. Using duodenal pressure as a zero reference, a high pressure zone located just within the papilla of Vater was recorded in all subjects. Intravenous diazepam produced no significant change in sphincter pressure. Sphincter pressures measured in 20 subjects with no recognizable pancreatic or biliary disease ranged from 15mm to 43mm Hg with a mean pressure of 31±2mm Hg (± SE). These data indicate that there is a physiologic high pressure zone in the region of the papilla of Vater. The importance of this sphincter in health and disease remains to be evaluated.