Abstract:Objective
To discuss the predisposing factors,prognosis and treatment of pancreatic encephalopathy(PE) in acute pancreatitis(AP).
Methods Nineteen cases of AP complicated with PE were retrospectively studied.
Results The occurrence rate of PE was 12.0%. PE often occurred in association with such factors as hyperpyrexia, waterelectrolyte disturbance, and hypoxemia. Among the 19 patients,11 patients received surgical operation and 8 were treated conservatively.The total fatality rate reached 52.6%(10/19),significantly higher than other concurrently treated cases of severe acute pancreatits(SAP) (20.7%,P<0.05).
Conclusions PE may result from the combined effect of several factors upon an underlying cerebral injury due to pancreatic enzymes.AP complicated with PE carried a poor prognosis.PE should be treated according to the "individualized therapy"principle of SAP,and operative indications should be the same as that of SAP.Operation should be simple and effective.PE should not be independently considered as an operative indication of SAP.