Assessment of severity in acute pancreatitis.

Assessment of severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) is a key determinant in the management of a patient. This review evaluates the various methods of assessment: clinical assessment, biochemical tests, Ranson's and Imrie's multiple prognostic criteria, simplified prognostic criteria, APACHE II, peritoneal lavage, and computed tomography. Although all of the above criteria can identify most of the seriously ill patients, each has some drawbacks. Individual preference and available institutional facilities greatly influence the method used for prognostic assessment in AP. However, some type of predictive assessment is possible in any hospital, and should be used in the management of patients with AP.