CLINICAL UPDATE - MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE-PANCREATITIS

The management of acute pancreatitis commences with confirming the dia gnosis and establishing the aetiology. Improved methods of assessing t he biliary tree may reduce the number of patients regarded as having i diopathic pancreatitis. Detailed clinical and laboratory protocols, de signed to assess severity, have no major advantage over clinical asses sment. The contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan is important to assess the degree of pancreatic necrosis and to detect local complicat ions. The treatment of pancreatitis continues to be largely supportive . However, controlled studies support the use of antibiotics in severe acute pancreatitis and indicate a possible role for the use of octreo tide and antioxidants. The place of endoscopic and surgical interventi on is becoming better defined. Once an attack has passed, further inve stigation is often required in a bid to prevent further episodes of in flammation.