Trial of the Effect of Timing of Cholecystectomy During Initial Admission for Mild Gallstone Pancreatitis

The intervention will be laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) on admission within 24 hours of presentation regardless of whether pain or tenderness are present or laboratory values are elevated.

The control will be laparoscopic cholecystectomy with IOC once the patient has met the following criteria: (a) a score of less than 2 on the Visual Analogue Pain Scale, (b) no tenderness on physical exam, and (c) decreased lipase to either less than half of the peak value or within normal range (73-393 U/L).