Acute pancreatitis

Treatment:

Treatment is aimed at supportive measures such as fluid replacement by intravenous (IV) infusion, pain relief by analgesics, and withholding food or fluid by mouth to restrict pancreatic activity that makes symptoms worse. Occasionally nasogastric suctioning may be required if there is persistent vomiting, severe pain, or a paralytic ileus develops.

Recurrence of the attack may be prevented by treating the underlying condition.

Surgery or endoscopic therapy (using an endoscope, a device with a light that can look inside a body cavity) is indicated in some cases to remove gallstones blocking the drainage of the pancreas. In severe cases, the pancreas may be removed.

Expectations (prognosis):

In most cases, the symptoms resolve in a week; however, in some cases, life-threatening illness develops. The death rate is high with hemorrhagic pancreatitis when complications such as liver, heart, or kidney impairment are present. Recurrences are common.

Complications:

• low blood pressure
• heart failure
• kidney failure
• ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome)
• ascites, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen
• cysts or abscesses in the pancreas

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if intense, constant abdominal pain is present, or if other symptoms that are suggestive of acute pancreatitis develop.