Objective To evaluate the safety and effect of early therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and interventional treatment for acute biliary pancreatitis. Methods Eighty-seven hospitalized patients with acute biliary pancreatitis were divided into endoscopic therapy group and conservative therapy group according to the treatment methods. ERCP examination and treatment were used in the endoscopic therapy group, medical conservative treatments were used in the conservative therapy group. The efficacy such as blood amylase recovery time, abdominal pain relief time, blood white blood cell recovery time, liver function recovery time, hospital stay, and complications were observed. Results Blood amylase recovery time, abdominal pain relief time, blood white blood cell recovery time, liver function recovery time, and hospital stay in the endoscopic therapy group were significantly shorter than those in the conservative therapy group (Plt;0.05). There were no ERCP related severe complications or aggrevated symptoms. Conclusion Early endoscopic therapy is a safe and effective method for acute biliary pancreatitis and can prevent further progression to severe status.