The importance of the sphincter of Oddi for the filling of the gallbladder has not
been definitely established. It was the aim of this study to establish the extent
to which gallbladder filling is affected by the total absence of resistance at the
sphincter of Oddi. The external bile ducts were dissected out in 20 autopsies. After
elimination of the sphincter of Oddi and division of the cystic duct at the junction
to the gallbladder, infusion of water into the common hepatic duct under physiological
flow conditions showed that no water passed the spiral valve of the cystic duct. Water
flow stopped here in all 20 cases, i.e. 100 % (95 % confidence limits 83-100). If
gallbladder filling is not possible it may be difficult to accomplish non-invasive
procedures for the elimination of stones in the gallbladder.
Sphincter of Oddi - Gallbladder
