[Role of surgical therapy in acute pancreatitis]

Thirty-four of 44 patients with severe necrotizing pancreatitis were operated on. One patient died as a result of an undiagnosed pneumothorax. The mortality of the patients in stage II and III was accordingly 2.1% and 2.9% for the patients operated-on. In accordance with the possibilities of surgical therapy, four principles are defined. The corresponding repertoire of methods is shown. Following these principles it is necessary to individualize the methods for each patient.