Infection prevention in necrotizing pancreatitis: an old challenge with new perspectives.

Necrotizing pancreatitis still remains a life-threatening disease despite several improvements in diagnosis, prevention and treatment. In recent years, some important questions have been answered such as the need for early intensive medical treatment rather than early surgery, but others are still strongly debated. The aim of this paper is to present an up-to-date assessment of current challenges in the management of necrotizing pancreatitis in order to prevent infection. Copyright 2001 The Hospital Infection Society.