Pancreatitis of biliary etiology accounts for 30-60 % of all cases of acute pancreatitis. A number of randomized studies have been completed to assess the role of acute endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and papilosphincterotomy in the therapy of biliary pancreatitis. Analysis of the respective studies has shown that urgent endoscopy is clearly indicated for the patients with a severe form of acute biliary pancreatitis as well as for those with an ongoing acute cholangitis or obstructive icterus. The author believes that based on a detailed analysis of the results, urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography can also be recommended for patients with a mild form of the illness provided the procedure is performed within 12 hours of admission to a hospital by an experienced endoscopist.
Key words: biliary pancreatitis - endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography - papilosphincterotomy.