European survey of surgical strategies for the management of severe acute pancreatitis.
OBJECTIVE
This study is the first pan-European survey of surgical strategies for the management of severe acute pancreatitis.


METHODS
A questionnaire survey was undertaken of the 866 members of the European chapter of the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (IHPBA). There were 329 replies from practicing clinicians giving a response rate of 38%.


RESULTS
The modal case volume was 11-20 patients per year. Severity stratification was used by 324 (99%) respondents with the Ranson score being the most popular. Antibiotic prophylaxis was utilized by 239 (73%) with the median duration being 7 days (range 1-28; 95% CI: 8-9). Fine needle aspiration of necrosis was undertaken by 174 (53%) and 131 would operate on a patient with a positive result. There was no consensus on optimum timing of surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this first pan-European questionnaire demonstrate wide variations in care. Overall, the findings provide a unique insight into the current management of severe acute pancreatitis in Europe.
King
Nicolas K K
NK
Hepatobiliary Unit, Department of Surgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester M13 9WL, UK.
Siriwardena
Ajith K
AK
D000208:Acute Disease; D000465:Algorithms; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D009336:Necrosis; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires