Updated Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis According to American College of Gastroenterology 2024

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis (AP), defined as acute inflammation of the pancreas, is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions leading to hospitalization in the United States. The course of the disease can vary from patient to patient and is often unpredictable. While most patients have mild pancreatitis and can be treated and stabilized within a few days, nearly 20% of patients may develop complications, including pancreatic necrosis and/or organ failure, sometimes requiring prolonged hospitalization, intensive care, surgery, or endoscopic intervention. Early treatment and close follow-up are essential to prevent complications from pancreatitis. Patients with gallstone pancreatitis will often require cholecystectomy to prevent recurrence and may require early endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography if acute pancreatitis due to common bile duct stones is present. Antibiotics are an important part of the treatment of infectious necrotizing pancreatitis along with debridement of the necrotic foci. The antibiotics chosen must be able to penetrate the necrotic area, such as carbapenems, quinolones, cephalosporins, and metronidazole... Nutrition plays an important role in the treatment of patients with acute pancreatitis. Early refeeding is safe and important in preventing complications caused by acute pancreatitis.