PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN PANCREATIC-ABSCESS

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 96  (3) , 455-461
Abstract
Pancreatic abscess is a highly lethal sequela of pancreatitis. Clinical and laboratory factors associated with the antecedent episode of pancreatitis or at the time of manifestation of a pancreatic abscess and factors related to its treatment that might have prognostic significance were identified. The records of 66 consecutive patients with pancreatic abscess seen between 1966 and 1980 were reviewed. Factors adversely affecting survival included the following: severity of precipitating pancreatitis (P < 0.03); sepsis and pulmonary dysfunction (P < 0.05); and persistent postoperative sepsis (P < 0.001). All 4 patients who were treated nonsurgically required reoperations and 40% died. No single surgical procedure, including marsupialization, proved to be superior. Surgical drainage offers the only possibility of survival for patients with pancreatic abscess. More thorough elimination of all focuses of infection is required to reduce the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with persistent postoperative sepsis.