title: Introduction: SSAT/AGA/ASGE State-of-the-Art Conference: necrotizing pancreatitis: novel minimally invasive strategies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Necrotizing pancreatitis is the most severe end of the spectrum of acute pancreatitis. Interventional treatment (i.e., "who, when, and how") of necrotizing pancreatitis is an ongoing source of considerable controversy. Novel minimally invasive strategies are being increasingly employed to perform pancreatic necrosectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recently convened a State-of-the-Art Conference to analyze the experience and evidence that these minimally invasive treatments are beneficial in select patients with necrotizing pancreatitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article serves as a general introduction to the State-of-the-Art Conference, Necrotizing Pancreatitis: Novel Minimally Invasive Strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, 980 W Walnut St C522, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. maxschmi@iupui.edu
authors.forename: C Max
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000592:standards; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000592:standards; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000592:standards*; D019283:Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / Q000601:surgery*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D016730:Program Development; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States