Objective:To introduce and summarize the use of choledochoscope in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis(SAP).
Methods:In cases of SAP with severe pancreatic and peripancreatic infection,open surgical debridement and drainage was done,and, about one week later, the drainage tubes were removed and a choledoscope was then used repeatedly to debride and wash out the necrotic and infected foci that were hard to drain out.
Results:In all the 31 patients treated by the method mentioned above, the pancreatic and peripancreatic necrotic tissue and fluid collections were effectively drained or removed. Of them, one patient died of respiratory function failure after 18 postoperative days.
Conclusions:The use of choledoscope for repeated debicdement and removal of pancreatic and peripancrcatic infectious foci is simple and safe, with reliable clinical effects, and is a novel  treatment for pancreatic and peripancreatic infections secondary to severe acute pancreatitis.