Severe Acute Pancreatitis - How Conservative Can We Be?

Background: Acute pancreatitis still is a disease with overall high mortality. Continuously improved understanding of the pathophysiology, however, led to changes in treatment algorithms within the last decades, thus resulting in decreased mortality. This knowledge of acute pancreatitis enabled a new classification system introduced by an international expert panel. This classification system is helpful in initiating treatment strategies which are adapted to the course of acute pancreatitis. Especially the role of surgery experienced a paradigm shift towards a more conservative approach.

Methods: A specific literature search regarding the treatment of acute pancreatitis was performed in the PubMed database, and the results of key studies were compared. Results of these studies are discussed in the context of the most recent international classification system.

Results And Conclusion: Based upon the available data, we can summarize that conservative treatment of acute pancreatitis with pancreatic necrosis is a valid treatment option for selected cases and is associated with reduced mortality compared to more aggressive therapy. However, patients with acute pancreatitis should be treated in experienced centers.