Urgent endoscopic sphincterotomy in acute biliary pancreatitis, an alternative to surgery

Thirty-two patients presenting with acute biliary pancreatitis were included, 20 presented early while 12 presented late after 72 hours from onset. Patients were classified using Atlanta and Ranson scoring into mild [20 patients], and 12 patients]. ERCP and urgent endoscopic sphincterotomy were done within 8 hours from admission, while patients were on supportive treatment and high dose of octreotide infusion. Sizable stones were found in 10, biliary gravel in 10, sludge in 4, inflamed papilla only in 5, fasciola fluke in 2 and an ascaris while those presented early showed complete recovery indicating the success of urgent endoscopic sphincterotomy in halting the progression of pancreatitis