Published online May 6, 2019. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i9.1006
Peer-review started: January 17, 2019
First decision: March 10, 2019
Revised: March 19, 2018
Accepted: March 26, 2019
Article in press: March 26, 2019
Published online: May 6, 2019
Processing time: 111 Days and 7.6 Hours
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common gastrointestinal causes for hospi-talization in the United States. In 2015, AP accounted for approximately 390000 hospitalizations. The burden of AP is only expected to increase over time. Despite recent advances in medicine, pancreatitis continues to be associated with a substantial morbidity and mortality. The most common cause of AP is gallstones, followed closely by alcohol use. The diagnosis of pancreatitis is established with any two of three following criteria: (1) Abdominal pain consistent with that of AP; (2) Serum amylase and/or lipase greater than three times the upper limit of normal; and (3) Characteristics findings seen in cross-sectional abdominal imaging. Multiple criteria and scoring systems have been established for assessing severity of AP. The cornerstones of management include aggressive intravenous hydration, appropriate nutrition and pain management. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and surgery are important aspects in management of acute gallstone pancreatitis. We provide a comprehensive review of evaluation and management of AP.
Core tip: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common gastrointestinal causes for hospitalization in the United States. In 2015, AP accounted for approximately 390000 hospitalizations. The most common cause of AP is gallstones, followed closely by alcohol use. Multiple criteria and scoring systems have been established for assessing severity of AP. The cornerstones of management include aggressive intravenous hydration, appropriate nutrition and pain management. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and surgery are important aspects in management of acute gallstone pancreatitis. We provide a comprehensive review of evaluation and management of AP.