Influence of peritoneal lavage on objective prognostic signs in acute pancreatitis

In 39 patients with severe attacks of acute pancreatitis, a longitudinal study was done with respect to the influence of peritoneal lavage on objective prognostic signs (WBC, blood-glucose, serum-calcium, hematocrit, serum-creatinine, arterial pO2, base deficit); amylase activities in peritoneal fluid, serum, and urine; serum-hemoglobin, serum-Na, serum-K, and plasma-insulin. In addition to standard care in the ICU, half of the patients (N = 19) were randomly treated with peritoneal lavage. Peritoneal lavage did not influence overall mortality (13%), incidence of major complications (36%), or hospital stay (23 +/- 7 days). None of the prognostic signs was significantly influenced by lavage. Amylase concentration in peritoneal fluid was significantly reduced in the lavaged group after 6 hours compared to 24 hours in controls. Serum and urinary amylase decreased 12 hours earlier in the lavaged group, indicating an efficiency of the lavage procedure per se. Still, this study did not reveal any beneficial clinical effects of peritoneal lavage in acute pancreatitis.