Outcome of open necrosectomy in acute pancreatitis.

Twenty percent of all acute pancreatitis patients present with necrotizing pancreatitis. Infected necrosis is responsible for 80% of deaths in the course of the disease though, thanks to antibiotic prophylaxis, the infection rate is decreasing. When infection occurs, the prognosis is poor, and the need for debridement and drainage of the necrosis is mandatory. The aim of this study was to review the most recent literature in order to present an update of open surgical management of infected necrosis. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel and IAP