GALLSTONES AND ACUTE-PANCREATITIS - MECHANISMS AND MECHANICS

The observation that necrotizing pancreatitis and gallstones can be as sociated is more than 300 years old [1]. Since the beginning of our ce ntury, numerous investigations have addressed the question as to how g allstones cause pancreatitis. Despite this effort and many excellent c linical and experimental studies, few pathophysiological issues in gas troenterology have remained so controversial and even fewer have found advocates with such incompatible views and uncompromising convictions . We will review the past and present theories regarding the pathophys iology of gallstone-induced pancreatitis and outline the therapeutic c onsequences implied by these concepts.