[Severe acute pancreatitis, laparotomies, and planned reoperation]

Of 111 cases of acute pancreatitis studied, 13 (11.7%) patients had severe pancreatitis with infection and were submitted to planned reoperation or to open peritoneal drainage. Twelve patients were male, ages ranging from 20 to 56. The etiology was biliary in 4 patients, traumatic in 1 patient, and alcoholic in 8 patients. Early treatment included clinical support at the intensive care unit and surgical intervention was performed after the first week based on clinical signs and on ultrasound and CT scan findings. A total of 42 surgeries was performed (mean of 3.23 operations per patient). Mortality rate was 46% due to systemic complications and to multiple organ failure.