[Pathophysiology of development of acute pancreatitis]

Acute pancreatitis is a severe illness with unclear prognosis and mortality rate ranging from 5 to 70%. Dynamic observation of changes in systemic inflammatory response of the body may be helpful in estimating the development of acute pancreatitis as well as giving an idea of therapeutical possibilities. It is obvious, that the intensive therapeutic intervention may reduce the influence of secondary insults (ischemic-reperfusion syndrome, hypoxia, disrupted physiological function of the bowel) on pancreatic tissue. Surgery is limited only for precisely specified indications in the latter stage of acute pancreatitis (secondary inflammation of the necrosis). In this paper we conclude some pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of acute pancreatitis.