[Necrotising pancreatitis as an unexpected complication in seriously ill patients]

Three patients, two men aged 70 and 73 years, respectively, who underwent surgery due to an abdominal aortic aneurysm, and a woman aged 75 years, who was operated on due to acute arterial embolic occlusion of both legs, developed abdominal complaints post-operatively. These were found to be caused by necrotising pancreatitis. The accompanying fluid accumulation was drained percutaneously. Two patients recovered; the 73-year-old man died suddenly, possibly as a result of burst aortic sutures. In patients with a serious condition, necrotising pancreatitis should be considered in the case of a generalised inflammatory reaction and abdominal symptoms. Percutaneous drainage of infected necrotic tissue can sometimes improve the patient's condition, making surgery possible at a later stage.