Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease caused by excessive activation of pancreatic enzymes, especially trypsin, which is caused by various etiological factors in people with a certain genetic predisposition. Although, there is a rising incidence of acute pancreatitis, during the last few decades mortality decreased due to better diagnostic and therapic procedures. Routine use of endoscopic ultrasound has led to better diagnosis of etiology, improved understanding and classification of peripancreatic collections, and especially to the development of endoscopic, minimally invasive methods of treating infected necrotic collections, which are a major cause of delayed mortality. Advances in conservative treatment, especially in enteral and parenteral nutrition, avoidance of routine premature administration of antibiotics and prevention of the development of abdominal compartment syndrome, also had an impact on the prognosis of the disease. The classification of peripancreatic collections has been revised, and besides endoscopic, minimally invasive, percutaneous surgical methods have been developed, which have significantly reduced the mortality of previously open surgical procedures. The importance of a systematic approach to the treatment of this disease in specialized units has been recognized, and the best results are achieved with quality multidisciplinary cooperation of highly specialized experts.