[Early operation in acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis]

Between 1973 and 1975, the "early" operation was carried out in 15 patients suffering from acute haemorrhagic-necrotizing pancreatitis to eliminate necrotic parts. Partially necrotizing pancreatitis was identified in 10 patients: 7 survived. All patients with total pancreatic necrosis died. Surgery consisted of digital removal of the necrosis (digitoclasia) and in left resection with adequate drainage. Patients with partially necrotizing acute pancreatitis can be saved by "early" surgery while in patients with total necrosis surgery must be undertaken even earlier, namely before fatal complications set in.