The Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis: A Continuing Challenge

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Abstract
Most patients with acute pancreatitis recover rapidly and completely, regardless of the cause or the treatment, but in 5 to 15 per cent of patients the disease takes a fulminant course. Of these patients, 20 to 60 per cent either die or face life-threatening complications. Ranson and colleagues1 defined 11 clinical criteria that correlate with the severity of acute pancreatitis, including such features as the white-cell count, a decrease in the hematocrit, and a reduction in serum calcium. Using these criteria, one can identify most patients who will have an unsatisfactory outcome. After an initial assessment based on the Ranson . . .