[Assessment and treatment of acute pancreatitis. Position document of the Catalan Society of Gastroenterology, Catalan Society of Surgery and Catalan Society of the Pancreas].

The incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) is increasing. AP is one of the gastrointestinal diseases that most frequently requires hospital admission in affected individuals. In the last few years, considerable scientific evidence has led to substantial changes in the medical and surgical treatment of this disease. New knowledge of the physiopathology of AP indicates that its severity is influenced by its systemic effects (organ failure), especially if the disease is persistent, and also by local complications (fluid collections or necrosis), especially if these become infected. Treatment should be personalized and depends on the patient's clinical status, the location of the necrosis, and disease stage.