Surgical treatment of severe acute pancreatitis

Surgical treatment of severe necrotizing pancreatitis (SNP) is still controversial, inadequate indications and timing of operations being associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity. The aim of the present study is to analyze the indications and results of surgery in patients with SNP. Between 1989 and 2005, necrosectomy followed by open packing drainage (OPD) was performed in 80 patients with SNP. Timing of operations was individualized according to presence of pancreatic necrosis infection. Major postoperative complications were present in 34 patients (42.5%), pancreatic, enteric and biliary fistula, sepsis, iatrogenic bleeding and stress-ulcers being among the most frequently encountered. Secondary contamination of sterile pancreatic necrosis after OPD occurred in 13 patients (35.1%). The overall mortality rate was 32.5%, aggravation of MOF and septic shock being the main causes of death. Late surgical cure for OPD-related incisional hernia was required in 10% of the patients. Infection of pancreatic necrosis is an indication for urgent surgical necrosectomy and repeated re-debridements. Due to technical impossibility to perform adequate necrosectomy and the risk of MOF aggravation, early surgery is not recommended in patients with sterile necrosis. It should be postponed beyond the third week, when the biological condition of the patient is improved and delimitation of necrosis is complete. OPD is an adequate and efficient drainage procedure following necrosectomy. "Prophylactic" OPD for sterile necrosis is not recommended because it is associated with high morbidity rates and secondary infection of necrosis.