Surgical approach in patients with acute pancreatitis - Is infected or sterile necrosis an indication - In whom should this be done, when, and why?

The morbidity and mortality rates of severe acute pancreatitis ale related to the degreee of pancreatic necrosis that accompanies the attack and to th e presence of infection. The decision about whether and when to operate on these patients is often difficult, and it requires mature clinical judgemen t. Proven infection of pancreatic necrosis is an absolute indication for su rgical intervention, at which time surgical debridement and drainage should be performed.