Septic complications of pancreatitis

Over an 11-year period 693 patients with acute pancreatitis and 317 with chronic pancreatitis were seen at the Harbor General Hospital. Review of these cases revealed 9 patients with primary pancreatic lesser sac abscess and 11 with secondary abscess. The appropriate management for pancreatic abscess, whether primary or secondary, is early recognition and drainage; multiple drainage procedures may be necessary. Broad spectrum antibodies appear to be helpful and should be used until cultures indicate more appropriate antibiotic therapy. Successful management involves prolonged hospitalization, but contrary to previous reports the success rate is surprisingly high. Eight out of 9 patients with primary abscess and 8 out of 11 patients with secondary abscess survived.