Observations on acute pancreatitis

Abstract

One hundred and forty cases of acute pancreatitis are reviewed of whisch 127 cases wee primary and 13 secondary acute pancreatitis. An association with biliary disease was found in 50 per cent of cases; 12·2 per cent of case were associated with heavy alcohol intake. In just over one-third of cases no aetiological factor was identified. The overall mortality rate was 21·4 per cent; the mortality for primary acute pancreatitis was 18·9 per cent but only 5·5 per cent in patients under 50 year old. The mortality for secondary acute pancreatitis was 46 per cent. In primary acute pancreatitis operative intervention was associated with a 36·6 per cent mortality as compared with conservative management which had a 10·5 per cent mortality. The most important complication of acute pancreatitis was acute renal failure which accurred in 20 patients, 15 of whom died. Pseudocysts formed in 15 patients and were best treated by internal drainage, via cstogastrostomy where possible.