Acute Pancreatitis: A Review Article

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis is a main gastrointestinal causes for emergency room visits, and it´s a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is characterized by the excessive activation of trypsin in pancreas acinar cells causing enzymatic self-digestion of pancreatic tissue. This entity was first described in 1652 by the danish physician Nicholaes Tulp. Main etiologies are gallstones and excessive alcohol consumption. To perform acute pancreatitis diagnosis it´s required 2 of the 3 diagnostic criteria: typical pancreatitis abdominal pain, serum elevation of amylase and/or lipase greater than 3 times the normal limit, typical acute pancreatitis findings in abdominal imaging. Hydration, early nutrition, and pain control are the management cornerstone in acute pancreatitis.