Clinical evaluation and surgical decision making in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) are two of the most complex conditions that a general surgeon faces. Each entity has unique laboratory and radiographic investigations, operations, and postoperative care. The clinical evaluation, history, and physical examination of AP is described. The clinical features necessary for diagnosis are listed, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography is described as the gold standard for diagnosis. This review uses definitions and terminology developed at the Atlanta symposium in 1992. The severity of an episode of AP is described in terms of established scoring systems (APACHE II [Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II], Glasgow Coma Scale score, Ranson criteria). AP can range from mild to severe necrotizing, with each described. The clinical course is described in detail. For CP, the history, physical examination, and diagnosis via investigative and imaging studies are described. The anatomic and morphologic subtypes of chronic pancreatitis are listed and the operations directed at patients with CP are detailed, and can involve drainage or combined resection and drainage.
This review contains 12 figures, 14 tables, and 48 references.
Keywords: Acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, alcoholism, amylase, Whipple procedure