Treatment:

Treatment is aimed at supportive measures, such as:

• Relieving pain
• Replacing fluids by intravenous (IV) infusion
• Withholding food or fluid by mouth to limit the activity of the pancreas

Occasionally a tube will be inserted through the nose or mouth to remove the contents of the stomach (nasogastric suctioning). This may be done if there is persistent vomiting or severe pain, or if a paralytic ileus develops.

Treating the condition that caused the problem can prevent recurrent attacks.

In some cases, radiologic or endoscopic therapy is needed to:

• Drain fluid collections in or around the pancreas
• Remove gallstones
• Relieve blockages of the pancreatic duct

In the most severe cases, surgery is necessary to remove dead, infected pancreatic tissue.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most cases go away in a week. However, some cases develop into a life-threatening illness.

The death rate is high with:

• Hemorrhagic pancreatitis
• Liver, heart, or kidney impairment
• Necrotizing pancreatitis

It is common for the condition to return.

Complications:

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• Build-up of fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
• Cysts or abscesses in the pancreas
• Heart failure
• Kidney failure
• Low blood pressure

Calling your health care provider:

Call your provider if:

• You have intense, constant abdominal pain
• You develop other symptoms of acute pancreatitis