Abstract
Biliary pancreatitis accounts for 30 - 60 % of all cases of acute pancreatitis. During the last tenyears a number of randomized trials was implemented which evaluated the role of acute endoscopicretrograde cholangiopancreatography and papillosphincterotomy in the treatment of biliarypancreatitis.
From analysis of different trials ensues that an urgent endoscopic operation isindicated unequivocally in patients with the acute form of biliary pancreatitis, furthermore inpatients with concurrent cholangoitis or the presence of obstructive jaundice. The author assumesthat, based on detailed analysis of the results, urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographycan be recommended also in patients with the mild form of the disease provided theoperation will be made within 12 hours after admission to hospital and that the operation will beimplemented by an experienced endoscopist.