Clinical Study of Acute Pancreatitis and its Management at a Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Introduction: Acute pancreatitis includes wide spectrum of disease, from one with mild self-limiting symptoms, to fulminant processes with multiorgan failure and high mortality. Most experience relatively minor episodes of disease characterized by mild parenchymal edema without distant organ dysfunction and uneventful recovery. Severe episodes, however, may involve a progression to extensive pancreatic necrosis, development of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), multiorgan failure, rapid clinical deterioration, and even death. Although the overall mortality rate for acute pancreatitis is 2–10%, this is related primarily to 10–30% of patients with severe disease characterized by pancreatic and peripancreatic necrosis. Aims and Objectives: To study the etiology and clinical profile of acute pancreatitis. Material and Methods: Data collection by meticulous history taking and clinical examination, appropriate laboratory and radiological investigations and follow-up of cases. Results: Study was conducted with 50 patients. The peak incidence of acute Pancreatitis was observed in 2^nd to 4^th decade. Mean age of the study subjects was 39.78 years with 55% of the cases between 21-40 years of age. The findings shows that pancreatitis occurs in relatively younger adults. Strong male predominance was seen among study subjects as there were 72% males and 28% females with male to female ratio as 2.57:1. Conclusion: Acute Pancreatitis is more common in 2^nd to 4^th decades. Acute Pancreatitis is more common in males. Pancreatitis was observed to be more common among young adults especially male with alcoholism induced pancreatitis being the commonest etiology followed by biliary etiology. Most of the patients were presented with pain in abdomen with ascites being the commonest complication. Majority of the cases can be managed successfully with conservative approach and the overall mortality is low, however cases with severe pancreatitis and associated organ failure tends to have higher mortality.