ASSESSMENT OF SEVERITY AND PROGNOSIS IN ACUTE-PANCREATITIS

Assessment of severity and prognosis in acute pancreatitis was origina lly driven by clinicians' needs for the prediction of outcome, togethe r with the requirement of researchers For objective measurement of sev erity. Evaluation of the multitude of competing systems has been hinde red by varying definitions of severity, incomplete reporting and a lac k of comparative data. Although clinical assessment, Ranson and Glasgo w scores remain predominant, the recent literature reflects how needs have changed, as a result of improved understanding of the biological events underlying attacks and technological advances. The Atlanta Inte rnational Symposium should provide a suitable framework for progress.