Acute pancreatitis induced by short-term propofol administration

The incidence of a drug-induced pancreatitis is rare and so far more than 85 different drugs have been reported to have induced pancreatitis. Some case reports consider a relationship between propofol and acute pancreatitis. However, in these cases a number of different drugs were coadministered, thus preventing a clear causal link being established. We report a case of a drug-induced acute pancreatitis that was most likely triggered by a single dosage of propofol. It occurred in a young girl who underwent elective magnetic resonance imaging. She developed pancreatitis within hours after exposure to propofol. Other possible triggers, e.g. gallstones or infection were ruled out. Physicians should consider pancreatitis as a potentially life-threatening adverse event associated with propofol sedation, which is nowadays extensively used.