Impact on outcome of early endoscopic extraction of bile duct stones in biliary pancreatitis: a prospective multicenter randomized controlled study.

Impact on outcome of early endoscopic extraction of bile duct stones in biliary pancreatitis: a prospective multicenter randomized controlled study.

Main objective: to test the interest of early bile duct decompression by endoscopic sphincterotomy after early non invasive diagnosis by endosonography or MR cholangiography.

Prospective multicenter randomized controlled study with direct patient benefit

Inclusion Criteria:

• Previous medical examination
• Age over 18
• Acute biliary pancreatitis
• Timespan between onset of symptoms and randomization <72h
• No involvement in another clinical study
• Informed consent obtained

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non biliary pancreatitis
• Age < 18
• Timespan between onset of symptoms and randomization >72h
• No follow-up possible beyond 3 months after inclusion
• Ongoing pregnancy
• No informed consent
• No health insurance affiliation
• Involvement in another clinical study
• Incapacity to understand subject information
• Counter indication of MRI examination if echo-endoscopy is not available