TREATMENT OF ACUTE BILIARY PANCREATITIS

In 10 % of the cases, acute biliary pancratitis is severe, when system ic complications occur during the first week and/or when local complic ations start with the second week. Magnitude of pancreatic damage is n ot related with the persistence of choledocolithiasis. Severe acute bi liary pancreatitis is impaired by early biliary surgery, but surgery d oes not increase mortality and morbidity in moderate acute biliary pan creatitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography followed, w hen necessary, by endoscopic sphincterotomy is not recommended in mode rate acute pancreatitis. In severe acute biliary pancreatitis, prognos is is not improved by endoscopic procedures. However, in case of acute cholangitis, urgent endoscopic therapy is recommended.