Summary: Acute pancreatitis is a disease in which, as a result of premature activation of trypsin, the pancreas self-digests, inflammation develops, and adjacent tissues are damaged. Clinically, acute pancreatitis is manifested by severe epigastric pain and an increase in the activity of pancreatic enzymes. Among the complications of acute pancreatitis there should be mentioned chronic pancreatitis, disorders of the exocrine and endocrine functions of this organ, and pseudocysts of the pancreas. Prevention of acute pancreatitis largely depends on the etiology of the disease (most often it is choleretic or alcoholic etiology). Patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis and those who develop chronic pancreatitis should be under the supervision of a gastroenterological clinic.