Abstract:Objective To investigate the endoscopic characteristics and treatment of duodenal papilla ectopia. Methods Data of 24 617 patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at Endoscopy Center of General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from April 2003 to April 2022 were retrospectively collected. Clinical data of diagnosis and treatment of the patients with ectopic duodenal papillae were analyzed. Results The incidence of duodenal papilla ectopia was 0.27% (67/24 617), in which 62.7% (42/67) were males, and 37.3% (25/67) located at the junction of descending duodenal bulb. Fifty‑eight (86.6%) patients had combined choledocholithiasis. There were 61.2% (41/67) patients with digestive tract ulcer or malformation, which were more likely to be located in the duodenal bulb and junction of descending duodenal bulb (92.7%, 38/41). The common bile duct was "hooked" in 56.7% (38/67) patients, and the success rate of ERCP intubation was 91.0% (61/67). Postoperative complications occurred in 23 (34.3%) patients, including postoperative pancreatitis (16.4%, 11 cases), hyperamylasemia (13.4%, 9 cases), and biliary tract infection (4.5%, 3 cases). Of the 58 patients with choledocholithiasis, 54 were successfully intubated and treated with ERCP, with an overall technical success rate of 93.1%. Among them, the stones were completely removed in 34 (58.6%) patients with choledocholithiasis, partially removed in 4 (6.9%) patients with choledocholithiasis, 8 cases (13.8%) had endoscopic drainage and 8 cases (13.8%) had endoscopic stent biliary drainage. Duodenal stenosis (P=0.039, OR=7.16, 95%CI: 1.10‑46.51), choledocholithiasis with long diameter≥1.5 cm (P=0.009, OR=6.92, 95%CI: 1.18‑40.52), incarcerated stones (P=0.028, OR=16.05, 95%CI: 1.35‑191.11), multiple stones (P=0.001, OR=28.12, 95%CI: 3.68‑215.49), and common bile duct diameter<1.5 cm (P=0.018, OR=7.58, 95%CI: 1.41‑39.58) were independent risk factors for incomplete stone removal by ERCP. Conclusion The incidence of ectopic duodenal papilla is relatively low, which is often found due to biliary and pancreatic diseases, especially choledocholithiasis. The common ectopic location is the descending bulbar junction, usually accompanied by digestive tract ulcer or malformation. ERCP demonstrates a high success rate and a good therapeutic effect on the treatment of ectopic duodenal papilla combined with biliary and pancreatic diseases.