title: Treatment of pancreatitis. When do antibiotics have a role?
abstract: Experimental and clinical data on the use of antibiotics in treatment of pancreatitis vary widely, depending on the cause of the disease. Antibiotics have little effect on alcoholic or idiopathic pancreatitis, but they play a major role in treatment of bacterial infections in gallstone pancreatitis. Some antibiotics are effective in necrotizing pancreatitis; however, surgery and extensive debridement are often necessary when abscess is present or multiple-organ failure occurs.
authors.affiliation: Framingham Union Hospital, MA 01701.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Treadwell
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy; D000208:Acute Disease; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000188:drug therapy; D009336:Necrosis; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents