![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Acute pancreatitis is a common disease that has been increasing over recent years with an overall mortality of approximately 7.5%.It is a relatively common (around 5%) and potentially serious complication of ERCP and related interventions. Unlike other complications, its incidence has not decreased with the technical improvements of recent years and expertise of the operators. However, its pathogenesis remains poorly understood and attempts at prevention have been met with partial success at best. Directed therapy for AP has eluded physicians for many years. This clinical goal has taken many different forms, some of which worked poorly even in experimental animals. Given its potential risks, measures to prevent ERCP related pancreatitis are vital. Awareness and avoidance of known risk factors at the time of ERCP are important and the decision to proceed to ERCP should not be taken lightly. Meanwhile, research should continue into agents that might prevent the development of ERCP related AP. If it didn’t kill the patient, AP may result in pancreatic abscess, chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic pseudocyst. chronic pancreatitis is a progressive inflammatory disease characterized by irreversible destruction of the exocrine pancreatic tissue. |