General approach to acute pancreatitis

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of Acute Pancreatitis (AP). Bibliographic review: PA is one of the main causes of hospital admissions related to the gastrointestinal tract. In general, gallstones and alcohol abuse are the two most common causes of AP, while hypertriglyceridemia ranks third with an increasing trend. Although often self-limiting, 20% of patients with AP progress to a more severe form with organ failure and mortality between 15% and 35%. Organ failure usually manifests as respiratory, renal, or cardiovascular failure. Final considerations: Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammatory disease of the pancreas whose incidence has increased by more than 20% in the last 20 years. Approximately 20% of affected people develop severe disease, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. As there is no specific therapy, current management revolves around early fluid resuscitation, pain control, and nutrition. Supportive care using intravenous fluid hydration is the mainstay of BP management in the first 12 to 24 hours, along with enteral nutrition and pain management with opioids.