Management and outcome of severe acute pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND
The treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) varies among several institutes. It has been evolving from routine surgical management to conservative management in the early stages. The surgical management has a role in the later stages of the disease.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to review the management and outcome of the patients with SAP at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.


METHODS
Two hundred and ten patients with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand from December 2001 to April 2005 were studied by retrospective chart review.


RESULTS
Forty patients were diagnosed with SAP, 27 men and 13 women. SAP was most commonly caused by alcohol abuse (47.5%) and biliary tract disease (37.5%). Eighteen patients (45%) had pancreatic necrosis. Among them, seven patients (38.9%) had infected necrosis, and the rest had sterile necrosis. All patients with infected pancreatic necrosis underwent open pancreatic necrosectomy, and three of 7 died. Four of 11 patients with sterile necrosis died. The overall mortality was 25%.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with SAP have high morbidity and mortality rates. The patients with infected pancreatic necrosis may require surgical management, whereas those with sterile necrosis or SAP without local complications can be managed with conservative treatment and/or intervention. Post-operative complications might occur, thus require long term follow-up.
Navicharern
Patpong
P
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Wesarachawit
Warin
W
Sriussadaporn
Suvit
S
Pak-art
Rattaplee
R
Udomsawaengsup
Suthep
S
Nonthasoot
Buntoon
B
Chulakadabba
Adhisabandh
A
Tharavej
Chadin
C
Pungpapong
Suppa-ut
SU
Wongsaisuwan
Marwin
M
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019283:Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016717:Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents