Open AccessAcute pancreatitis at the beginning of the 21st century: The state of the art
Author(s) -
Alfredo Tonsi,
Matilde Bacchion,
Stefano Crippa,
Giuseppe Malleo,
Claudio Bassi
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.15.2945
Subject(s) - acute pancreatitis , gallstones , medicine , pancreatitis , disease , intensive care medicine , pancreas , alcohol consumption , systemic inflammatory response syndrome , pancreatic disease , gastroenterology , necrotizing pancreatitis , general surgery , surgery , alcohol , biochemistry , chemistry , sepsis
Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory disease of the pancreas which can lead to a systemic inflammatory response syndrome with significant morbidity and mortality in 20% of patients. Gallstones and alcohol consumption are the most frequent causes of pancreatitis in adults. The treatment of mild acute pancreatitis is conservative and supportive; however severe episodes characterized by necrosis of the pancreatic tissue may require surgical intervention. Advanced understanding of the pathology, and increased interest in assessment of disease severity are the cornerstones of future management strategies of this complex and heterogeneous disease in the 21st century.