Pancreatic necrosis and acute pancreatitis

With reference to 115 cases of acute pancreatitis which were either operated on or confirmed, the authors stress the seriousness of the lesion to the glandular parenchyma; it is also difficult to recognise during peroperative exploration. The necrosis, which is sometimes limited to the peripheral and interstitial tissue, sparing the gland itself (its prognosis is less serious) has led many surgeons to perform surgical excision. However, the problems encountered postoperatively have given rise to doubts a posteriori as to whether this is legitimate. Reference is made to the decapsulation of the pancreas described by Romanian authors, and a method for future operative diagnosis of glandular necrosis is proposed.