Thomas Karunaharan1, Thulasi2, Kumar Satish3, Sumathi4
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common diseases in gastroenterology. Two percent of all patients admitted to hospital are diagnosed with AP. During the last decade, an increasing incidence was observed, mostly because of a higher sensitivity of diagnostic tests. Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis is still symptomatic and no specific medication is available today. As a result of popular belief that the pancreas should be put to rest during acute pancreatitis, the parenteral route for nutrition is still predominantly used in Acute Pancreatitis. There has been increasing evidence; however, about gut being main source of microorganisms causing infectious pancreatic complications and multiorgan failure. In patients with severe pancreatitis, oral intake is inhibited by nausea and subileus. Although some reports show that enteral feeding is possible in acute pancreatitis and associated with fewer septic complications. Although the evidence is inconclusive to support enteral nutrition in all patients with severe acute pancreatitis, the enteral route may be used if tolerated. Supportive treatment is the most important line of management in acute pancreatitis. The aim is to study the management of acute pancreatitis in a peripheral tertiary hospital and to assess the outcome of the management.
METHODS & MATERIALS
Data Collection: Patients with acute abdominal pain are admitted in hospital and diagnosed as acute pancreatitis based on blood investigations and radiological findings. Patients categorised- Revised Atlanta Classification. Different medical management modes followed and outcomes recorded, tabulated and analysed.
Research Design: Retrospective study.
Research Settings: Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital, Trichy, Tamilnadu.
Duration: 5 yrs. (2010-2015)
Sample Size: 186.
Inclusion Criteria: Patients between 12 and 75 yrs. of age, patients admitted to the hospital as a case of acute pancreatitis, both sexes, patients willing to participate in the study.
Exclusion Criteria: Paediatric age group, >75 yrs. Age, patients not willing to participate, patients absconded without completing treatment.
RESULTS
Chronic alcoholism is the most common cause of acute pancreatitis. Male preponderance is more. Usually in the 4th and 5th decades. Most patients presented with abdominal pain. CT findings were diagnostic and gold standard. All underwent conservative management of which 7 cases succumbed to the disease and the rest were treated.
