Acute pancreatitis is a primary sterile inflammation of the pancreas, which is characterized by an unphysiological enzyme activation. This leads to an inflammatory reaction with edema, vascular damage and cell decay. The first German interdisciplinary S3 guidelines on chronic pancreatitis were published in 2012. Under the auspices of the German Society of Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS) and with the participation of various societies and patient representatives, the guidelines were recently revised and extended, Comprehensive S3 guidelines on acute and chronic pancreatitis were compiled and agreed by consensus. This article presents the important clinical aspects on acute pancreatitis from these guidelines in a compact form and the recommendations are justified.