[The role of peritoneal lavage in the surgical treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis].

Treatment of patients for acute pancreatitis is reported in this paper, with particular reference being made to the effectiveness of peritoneal lavage. Aetiological factors as well as surgical indications and techniques are communicated against the background of ten years of experience. Results are separately reported for two periods under review, with no peritoneal lavage used in the first phase. Results improved, and lethality rates dropped in the second five-year period, despite growing numbers of severe courses. Effects of peritoneal lavage are considered possible in the latter cases. However, mortality in the wake of early surgery has continued to be high, that is in connection with most severe forms of pancreatitis (when surgical action had been taken in the first week of manifest illness). No improvement appeared to be obtainable in such cases from postoperative peritoneal lavage.