Preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is not necessary in mild gallstone pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: The role of preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in gallstone pancreatitis is unclear. Therefore, we designed a study to establish whether ERCP is indicated in these cases.

METHOD: We studied 55 patients who had been admitted with gallstone pancreatitis. All of them had mild pancreatitis (Ranson's criteria <3). ERCP was carried out within 4 days of admission, once the liver function tests and serum amylase had returned to normal levels.

RESULTS: ERCP did not demonstrate common bile duct stones in any of the patients. All patients then underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the same admission.

CONCLUSION: Preoperative ERCP is not indicated for patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis.