ABSTRACT
The pancreatic abscess occurs in two to six per cent of patients with acute pancreatitis and in 40 to 50 per cent of whom develop the severe form of the disease. The postoperative morbidity rate is 85 to 90 per cent and the mortality rate is 30 to 50 per cent due to persistence or recurrence of infection. The anatomical location and dissemination of the pancreatic abscess allows an extraperitoneal approach. Twelve patients with pancreatic abscess are reported. Seven males and five females, with an average age of 36 years. Fever, abdominal pain, cutaneous hypersensitivity and palpable abdominal mass were the most frequent clinical signs. Most of them developed multiple organic failure, leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, increasing L.D.H. and alkaline phosphatase levels. The CAT scan was most useful to localize the abscess. About 83 per cent of patients had been operated on previously. The extraperitoneal surgical approach was anterior in 10 patients and posterior in two patients. Ten patients developed complications that resolved with conservative measures. Two patients (17%) died. Extraperitoneal drainage is a valid alternative to prevent peritoneal contamination and some other serious postoperative complications in the management of pancreatic abscess.
