MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENT OF ACUTE BILIARY PANCREATITIS

Background: Stones of the common bile duct are the most important fact or in acute pancreatitis (AP). Endolaparoscopic surgery plays a well-r ecognized role in the treatment of this pathology. Methods: From Janua ry 1992 to December 1995 we observed 62 cases of acute biliary pancrea titis (ABP). In 57 cases (= 93.4%) we proposed a minimally invasive tr eatment, based on performance of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancre atography (ERCP) combined with endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) and then of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), Results: ERCP was attempted in emergency in 40/57 cases and successfully done in 34 cases. An ES was performed in all but two cases. In 51 patients we performed LC. The ov erall morbidity was 8.9% with no mortality. Conclusions: In the case o f ABP early treatment can achieve the restoration of patency of the pa pilla, reducing the risk of associated cholangitis and the development of pancreatic necrosis, The cholecystectomy prevents the risk of rela pse of ABP.