Mortality from acute pancreatitis - Late septic deaths can be avoided but some early deaths still occur

Methods. A retrospective review was conducted of 105 patients admitted to t he Royal Lancaster Infirmary with the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis over a 2-yr period (January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1997). Results. Six patients admitted during the study period died with a mortalit y rate of 5.7%. All patients died within 6 d of admission and received care in the intensive care unit. All presented with serious comorbid medical pr oblems and/or developed early multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Ten p atients underwent pancreatic necrosectomy with no mortality. Conclusion. In patients with acute pancreatitis, late "septic" deaths resul ting from infection of pancreatic tissue can be avoided, but some early dea ths are unavoidable owing to serious multiorgan dysfunction often combined with age or other comorbid conditions.