Experience with duodenal necrosis. A rare complication of acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Duodenal necrosis is a rare, but very serious complication of acute necrotizing pancreatitis that most likely is the result of vascular compromise and ischemia of the peri-Vaterian aspect of the duodenal wall. In this article, we present three patients with duodenal necrosis complicating acute necrotizing pancreatitis. The diagnosis was made at the time of necrosectomy. Management options of this challenging complication of necrotizing pancreatitis are discussed.