Effect of Duration of Ampullary Gallstone Obstructioin on Severity of Lesions of Acute Pancreatitis, by Juan M. Acosta, Oscar M. Rubio Galli, Robert Rossi, Alberto V. Chinellato, and Carlos A. Pellegrini

Abstract

The findings in this study suggest that duration of ampullary obstruction is a major factor determining the severity of pancreatic lesions: severe pancreatic lesions are rare in patients whose obstruction lasts not more than 48 hours. In contrast, pancreatic necrosis develops in nearly all patients with obstruction beyond 48 hours. It may be safe to treat patients conservatively during the first day of the illness. If obstruction is not resolved by the second day, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or surgical intervention must be carried out.