Massive necrotizing pancreatitis in an immunosuppressed renal transplant recipient (successful therapy)

Severe pancreatitis may be associated with massive necrosis of the pancreas and/or retroperitoneal adipose tissue. Toxicity results from the dead tissue and secondary infection. A 45 year old patient, while fully immunosuppressed, developed this complication following cadaveric renal transplantation. He survived continued immunosuppression, 16 operative debridements of the retroperitoneum, and maintained a functioning renal transplant. In view of the previously reported high mortality rates from mild pancreatitis after transplantation, the current experience warrants further evaluation of the open method of treatment.