Introduction

Gallstone disease is the leading risk factor for pancreatitis, an inflammatory condition wherein the exocrine pancreas releases its enzymes prematurely, leading to auto-digestion. Guidelines updated by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) in 2005 state all patients with biliary pancreatitis should undergo definitive management of gallstones with cholecystectomy/ERCP and sphincterotomy during the same admission unless clear treatment within the next two weeks is planned. In severe acute pancreatitis, this should be delayed until signs of systemic disturbance have resolved. This audit aimed to establish if national guidelines had been met at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, and to identify any steps that can be taken to improve adherence to the guidelines

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