Initial management of acute pancreatitis: critical issues during the first 72 hours.

Although most patients with acute pancreatitis have a mild course, almost a quarter of patients will develop complications. It has become clear that the early management of patients with acute pancreatitis will likely affect outcome. Too often patients are admitted to the hospital with what appears to be mild disease only later to deteriorate with severe disease. This review will focus on the early management of patients with acute pancreatitis in an attempt to prevent severe disease, complications, and death.