[Recurrent acute pancreatitis and biliary microlithiasis].

The ease with which biliary microcalculi migrate through the cystic duct and their frequent involvement in choledochus, may be a high risk for developing of recurrent acute pancreatitis, especially if papilla of vater is blocked. The concomitant presence of acute pancreatitis becomes an indication for litothomy, thorough lavage and surgical or endoscopic sphincterotomy. Twenty-one patients with biliary microlithiasis are reviewed in this article. The authors stress the importance of thorough pre and intraoperative investigation whenever the presence of biliary microlithiasis is suspected and confirm the indications for radical treatment of the disease.