[Acute severe pancreatitis. Analysis of mortality and morbidity]

Sixty-three patients with severe acute pancreatitis have been studied. Pancreatitis was associated with biliary tract disease in 23 patients (36.5%) and with alcoholism in 21 (33.3%). It occurred post-operatively in 9, and was associated with other conditions in 10. We evaluated the Ranson prognostic signs (RPS) with the appearance of complications. 36 patients (57.2%) had 3-4 RPS, 9 (30.2%) had 5-6 RPS and 8 (12.6%) had 7 or more RPS. Diagnostic laparotomy was performed in 11 patients (17.5%). 55 patients were operated one or more times due to failure of medical treatment and/or local and septic complications. The most frequent complications were pancreatic abscess (60.3%), sepsis (58.7%) and pulmonary insufficiency (52.4%). Renal failure occurred in 26 patients and 9 required dialysis. Of the patients with renal failure, 84.6% (22/26) had 4 or more RPS; 78.4% (29/37) of those with sepsis and 71.6% (27/38) of those with pancreatic abscess also had 4 or more RPS. The mean duration of hospitalization of survivors was 58 +/- 30 days. Overall mortality was 28.6%. We conclude that RPS are helpful to predict complications in patients with severe pancreatitis.