[Massive ascites in pancreatitis. Review apropos of 10 personal cases].

Massive ascites is are complication, but not exceptional, in pancreatitis. In a series of ten personal cases and a review of one hundred cases in the world literature, the authors attempt to define the main pathological and clinical characteristics of this disease and the best treatment. Ascites may follow abdominal trauma, involving the pancreas, sometimes it occurs during known chronic pancreatitis, often it is the first sign of pancreatic disease, whether acute or chronic.