ObjectiveTo understand advances in the timing and surgical mode selection of gastrointestinal endoscopy and surgical intervention for acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP).MethodThe recent literatures on the timing and choice of gastrointestinal endoscopy and surgical treatments aimed at ABP were reviewed.ResultsFor ABP patients with early cholangitis or biliary obstruction, no matter how serious, endoscopic treatment should be used to relieve obstruction and relieve symptoms. For patients only with ABP, if non-surgical treatment was not effective and patients showed symptoms such as biliary obstruction or biliary tract infection, endoscopic intervention should be considered. Most ABP patients had milder symptoms and could undergo cholecystectomy during the same hospitalization to prevent ABP recurrence after symptoms relief. Patients with severe ABP could be treated with cholecystectomy along with pancreatic necrotic tissue removal, and surgery should be performed after the disease was controlled. If the preoperative imaging examination highly suspected that there were stones in the biliary tract, biliary exploration should be performed at the same time. Laparoscopic surgery should be selected as far as possible to facilitate the postoperative recovery of the patient.ConclusionsFor patients with ABP, whether endoscopic or surgical treatment, the timing and surgical mode selection should follow the specific clinical situation with the “individualization” principle of the treatment. We should make the reasonable and effective policy at diagnosis and treatment according to different conditions.