ACUTE-PANCREATITIS

One hundred years after the first comprehensive clinical description of acute pancreatitis by Reginald Fitz, concepts of pathogenesis of acute pancretitis are largely based on indirect studies, and specific therapeutic agents are not available. Incidence of acute pancreatitis is still increasing. Alcohol, gallstone disease, obstruction, and several drugs are the major etiologic factors. Stenosis of the accessory papilla appears to be a prerequisite for pancreatitis in patients with pancreas divisum. Despite improved diagnostic capabilities, a high percentage of acute pancreatitis is still first established at autopsy. While clinical studies on the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis for infectious complications are still needed, one study found that lavage treatment for 7 days reduced septic complications.