Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-induced severe acute pancreatitis

Background/Aims: There is scant information in the literature about the outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ( ERCP)-induced severe acute pancreatitis ( ESAP). Compared to other causes, higher morbidity and mortality have been reported in ERCP-induced acute pancreatitis. We undertook this study to determine the differences between ESAP and SAP due to other causes ( OSAP). Methods: We retrospectively identified all cases of SAP admitted to our institution during the years 1992 - 2001. We reviewed the medical records of all SAP patients to obtain information on demographics, interventions, local and systemic complications and outcomes. Results: We identified 207 patients with SAP, of whom 16 (7.7%) had ESAP and 191 OSAP. There was no difference between ESAP and OSAP with regard to demographics, clinical interventions, local and systemic complications and outcomes. Both groups had a similar mortality ( 25 vs. 18%). Conclusion: ESAP has a similar morbidity and mortality compared to OSAP. Copyright (C) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel and IAP.