Surgery of acute pancreatitis

Within the past two generations, changing indications for surgical intervention, coupled with improvements in surgical techniques, have led the way to remarkable reductions in the morbidity and mortality of acute pancreatitis and its complications. Moreover, parallel advances in supportive intensive care and an improved understanding of the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis also have contributed significantly to increased patient survival. Now that the pancreas has finally emerged from the dim recesses of the retroperitoneum to gain its rightful place of importance among the other organs, we may anticipate a rapid increase in our knowledge of the gland, ultimately leading to cures of its conditions and one day, perhaps even to the final goal of all medicine: prevention of disease.