[Diagnosis and treatment of postoperative pancreatitis]

Among 24,498 laparotomies performed for diseases and traumas of the abdominal organs 72 were complicated by postoperative pancreatitis. The most frequently encountered symptoms of postoperative pancreatitis were pain in the upper abdomen, marked intestinal paresis, tachycardia, hyperthermia, and vomiting. Treatment was started with conservative measures, including controlled hemodilution and forced diuresis. If these measures failed, operation was undertaken. Operations were carried out on 21 patients: pancreatic blockade (n = 8), abdomenization (n = 8), cryodestruction (n = 5). The omental bursa was drained through a lumbar approach. Intra-aortic infusions and immunostimulation therapy were conducted in the postoperative period. Nine patients died (2 of them were not operated on). Death was caused by pancreonecrosis.