How is acute pancreatitis treated?
Acute pancreatitis is classified into mild pancreatitis and severe pancreatitis depending on the severity of the condition. Mild cases often recover within a week without residual effects; severe cases are perilous with a poor prognosis, and the mortality rate ranges from 20% to 40%. Treatment for mild pancreatitis includes fasting, gastrointestinal decompression, pain relief, antibiotics, intravenous nutrition, acid suppression, enzyme inhibition, etc. In addition to the aforementioned treatments, severe pancreatitis requires strict medical monitoring to maintain electrolyte balance, early parenteral nutrition transitioning to enteral nutrition, and the use of antibiotics to reduce pancreatic fluid secretion, such as the growth inhibitor octreotide, as well as enzyme activity suppressants like gabexate. If the pancreatitis is biliary in origin, an ERCP with a sphincterotomy of the sphincter of Oddi may be performed. In case of serious complications, surgical treatment may be considered. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)