Acute pancreatitis

A general survey of acute pancreatitis has been given, with the emphasis on diagnosis and management. Attention is drawn to the difficulties that sometimes arise in the accurate diagnosis of the acute upper abdominal illness and in the assessment of complications arising during the treatment of acute pancreatitis. The importance of the routine use of 'Trasylol' (aprotinin) during the acute attack is emphasized. The indications for operation are discussed in relation to achieving accurate early diagnosis, the management of certain complications and the prevention of further attacks. The mortality rate of acute pancreatitis has dropped considerably with improvement in the diagnostic rate and the routine use of intensive conservative treatment, but the prognosis of septic complications is still grave and will be improved only by the universal recognition that pancreatic suppuration is no ordinary septic process and that the timing of surgical drainage is critical.