PREVENTION OF RECURRENT ACUTE-PANCREATITIS IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE HYPERTRIGLYCERIDEMIA - VALUE OF REGULAR PLASMAPHERESIS

The association between acute pancreatitis and severe hypertriglycerid emia has long been recognized. We report two cases of severe primary h ypertriglyceridemia (types 1 and V) with recurrent acute pancreatitis. In both patients, observance of appropriate diet and drug therapy was insufficient. Recurrent episodes of pancreatitis were precipitated by dietary fat or alcohol abuse. A plasmapheresis was performed every 4 weeks to decrease the incidence of pancreatitis. It appears that plasm apheresis is a safe and highly effective method for quickly removing s erum triglycerides. Moreover, plasmapheresis may be useful for prevent ing acute pancreatitis.