**3. Gallstone pancreatitis**

Acute pancreatitis is now the most common reason for hospital admission among all gastrointestinal disorders [1]. Population-based studies indicate that the incidence of acute pancreatitis is rising from 14.8 in 100,000 (1990–1994) to 31.2 in 100,000 (2010–2013) among British males [2]. The most common (about 30–50%) preventable cause of pancreatitis in the United Kingdom is gallstones [3]. Recurrent attacks of gallstone pancreatitis (GSP) carry a mortality rate of 10% and a major morbidity rate of 30–40%. Most of these cases follow a mild course and are selflimited with supportive care, but approximately 20% progress to severe disease, requiring a prolonged hospital stay and intensive care, and are associated with a mortality rate approaching 30%. Three key areas in the management of patients with gallstone pancreatitis are diagnosis, risk stratification with predictors of severity and the type and timing of definitive intervention. In this chapter we have attempted to cover all relevant clinical aspects of gallstone pancreatitis regarding its etiopathogenesis, disease severity and management.
