Does number of carried out pregnancies influence the morphology of pancreatic duct? Study using ultrasonography

Aim. Multiparity was reported as one of the risk factors for biliopancreatic diseases, like gallstones or even cancer appearance. Our study was performed to investigate does the number of carried out pregnancies influences the caliber of the main pancreatic duct. Methods. The studied group consisted of 74 ultrasonographically examined women, 44 in the experimental group, out of whom 12 had one delivery, 20 had two and 12 had at least three labors. The control group was formed of 30 nulliparous women. They were all aged 41 to 60. Results. Revealed diameters of pancreatic duct gradually increased in the function of term deliveries number: in the head -1.69 (one delivery) to 2.37 mm (three or more deliveries); in the body: 1.52-2.16 mm and in the tail 1.4-2.0 mm. The parameter increase significantly correlated with number of full term deliveries, while body mass index showed the milder influence on the obtained parameters. Conclusion. The most prominent increase of the Wirsung's duct diameter, according to our results, appears to be the aftermath of the second healthy pregnancy. Nevertheless, despite obtained correlation between parameters of the Wirsung's duct on one, and number of pregnancies and body mass index on the other side, our results did not surpass ranges of already accepted as normal.