Duodenal polypectomy is a rare cause of acute pancreatitis.

Endoscopic duodenal polypectomy is a routine procedure particularly useful for obtaining histological diagnosis but it is not without serious complications. This is a case report of severe necrotising pancreatitis after duodenal polypectomy. We suggest that experienced endoscopists should carry out polypectomies and that clear guidelines for the management of duodenal polyps are required. Patients undergoing endoscopic duodenal polypectomies should be placed at the beginning of the endoscopy list and observed for at least 4 h.