Early versus late ductal decompression in patiens with acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) and ampullary obstruction due to impacted gallstone

Introduction: Previous studies suggested that therapeutic window (time from first symptom to ERCP) may determine the final outcome of ABP; and shortening the length of obstruction by early ERCP and EST might reduce the risk of complications. The aim of our present study was to assess the possible relation between the duration of ampullary obstruction and the probability of having complications in patients (pts) who underwent successful ERCP and EST to treat ABP caused by impacted gallstone at the papilla of Vater. Methods: 53 non-alcoholic pts admitted to our hospital from 2002 to 2008 with ABP associated with i…