The clinical study on 31 cases of acute pancreatitis were carried out during the period between October 1986 and December 1991.
The male patient outnumbered female by the ratio of 2:1.
The most common etiology was alcoholism followed by biliary tract disease and trauma. The majority of the cases presented with chief complaints of abdominal pain, and less common symptoms were nausea, vomiting, fever and jaundice. Among 27 cases
who had
elevated serum amylase on admission, it turned to normal in 19 cases within 3-6 days of hospitalization. Bacterial cultures from peritoneal fluid were done on 7 cases during the laparotomy: Two case yielded positive culture.
Assessment of the cases were made according the Ranson's criteria and it was found that the mortality rate was generally parallel to the number of signs each patient developed. Complications developed in 12 patients (40%), and the commonly seen
were
pleural effusion, pulmonary and renal insufficiency. Of the 10 cases who were operated because of aggravating condition, 4 cases died postoperatively. All mortality cases developed respiratory and renal insufficiency followed by multiple organ
failure.
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