Septic complications of acute pancreatitis

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a potentially lethal disease. There are numerous studies published on acute pancreatitis. This article presents the results of research of many scientists in the field of acute pancreatitis. The main aim of this article is to present the possible septic complications of acute pancreatitis, its diagnostic and treatment modalities. Early morbidity and mortality are the result of activation of mediators with failure of circulation and other organ systems. The overall mortality of patients with acute necrotising pancreatitis is in the range of 10-15 %. Secondary pancreatic infection and sepsis develop in 40-70 % of patients with 80 % mortality. Pancreatic infection is caused by bacterial contamination of pancreatic necrosis. Infection is usually recorded in the second week of the disease in 24 % and in 71 % during the fourth week of the disease. The incidence of secondary infection and sepsis correlates with the extent of pancreatic necrosis. The prevention of infection and sepsis by systemic administration of antibiotics is considered a principal step in the therapy of acute pancreatitis (Ref 62).