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Introduction: Liver retransplantation (LRT) is a controversial indication. Our aim was to evaluate the rate of LRT at our institution, and to analyze its indications and short- and long-term results., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of a prospectively collected database, including 1645 LT from 1984 to 2018. Results have been analyzed depending on type of LRT (early vs late), study period and indications., Results: We performed 150 LRT in 140 patients. The LRT rate was 9%. Of these, 45 LRT were early (30%), and the other 70% were late LRT. The main indications were: ischemic cholangitis (27%), arterial thrombosis (19%), primary non-function (15%), and HCV recurrence (15%). Mean surgery duration (395 vs. 270 min; P = .001), cold ischemia time (435 vs. 390 min; P = .005) and transfused units required (8 vs. 5 RBC; P = .034) were higher in cases of late LRT. Postoperative mortality (10 vs. 20%; P = .01) was better in cases of late LRT. One- and 5-year actuarial survival rates were 71% and 58%, respectively, which were significantly better during the last decade (80% and 64%). Five-year actuarial survival for ischemic cholangitis is better than other indications, such as recurrence of HCV (78 vs. 51%; P = .02)., Conclusions: Liver retransplantation is complex and associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, indications and long-term results have improved during recent years. Therefore, LRT is justified., (Copyright © 2020 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The goal of the Spanish Liver Transplantation Society (La Sociedad Española de Trasplante Hepático) is to promote and create consensus documents about current topics in liver transplantation with a multidisciplinary approach. To this end, on October 20, 2016, the 6th Consensus Document Meeting was held, with the participation of experts from the 24 authorized Spanish liver transplantation programs. This Edition discusses the following subjects, whose summary is offered below: 1) limits of simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation; 2) limits of elective liver re-transplantation; and 3) liver transplantation after resection and hepatocellular carcinoma with factors for a poor prognosis. The consensus conclusions for each of these topics is provided below., (Copyright © 2018. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

Introduction: The treatment of patients with non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NFPNET) is resection in locally pancreatic disease, or with resectable liver metastases. There is controversy about unresectable liver disease., Methods: We analysed the perioperative data and survival outcome of 63 patients who underwent resection of NFPNET between 1993 and 2012. They were divided into 3 scenarios: A, pancreatic resection (44patients); B, pancreatic and liver resection in synchronous resectable liver metastases (12patients); and C, pancreatic resection in synchronous unresectable liver metastases (6patients). The prognostic factors for survival and recurrence were studied., Results: Distal pancreatectomy (51%) and pancreaticoduodenectomy (38%) were more frequently performed. Associated surgery was required in 44% of patients, including synchronous liver resections in 9patients. Two patients received a liver transplant during follow-up. According to the WHO classification they were distributed into G1: 10 (16%), G2: 45 (71%), and G3: 8 (13%). The median hospital stay was 11days. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were 49% and 1.6%, respectively. At the closure of the study, 43 (68%) patients were still alive, with a mean actuarial survival of 9.6years. The WHO classification and tumour recurrence were risk factors of mortality in the multivariate analysis. The median actuarial survival by scenarios was 131months (A), 102months (B), and 75months (C) without statistically significant differences., Conclusions: Surgical resection is the treatment for NFPNET without distant disease. Resectable liver metastases in well-differentiated tumours must be resected. The resection of the pancreatic tumour with unresectable synchronous liver metastasis must be considered in well-differentiated NFPNET. The WHO classification grade and recurrence are risk factors of long-term mortality., (Copyright © 2016 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is usually contraindicated in chronic liver disease. The objective of the present study was to analyze PD results in cirrhotic patients, and compare them with non-cirrhotic ones., Methods: Between 1994 and 2014 we prospectively collected all patients with a PD for periampullar neoplasms in Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge. We registered preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables. We defined patients undergoing PD with liver cirrhosis as the study group (CH group), and those without liver cirrhosis as the control group (NCH group). A case/control study was performed (1/2)., Results: We registered 15 patients in the CH group, all with good liver function (Child A), and included 30 patients in NCH group. The causes of hepatopathy were HCV (60%) and alcoholism (40%). For the 3 moments studied, the CH group had a lower blood platelet count and a higher prothrombin ratio, compared with NCH group. Postoperative morbidity was 60% and mean postoperative stay was 25±19 days, with no differences in terms of complications between CH group and NCG group (73% vs. 53%, P=.1). Presence of ascites was higher in the CH group compared with NCH group (28 vs. 0%, P<.001). There were no differences in terms of hemorrhage or pancreatic fístula. Four patients of the CH group and 2 patients of the NCH group were reoperated on (26.7 vs. 6.7%, P=.1). There was no postoperative mortality., Conclusions: PD is a safe procedure in cirrhotic patients with good liver function although it presents high morbidity., (Copyright © 2016 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: Organ shortage has forced transplant teams to progressively expand the acceptance of marginal donors., Methods: We performed a comparative analysis of the post-transplant evolution depending on donor age (group I: less than 70 years old (n=474) vs. group II: 70 or more years old [n=105]) over a 10 year period (2002-2011)., Results: Donors over 70 years old were similar to donors less than 70 years old in terms of ICU stay, gender, weight, laboratory results, and use of vasoactive drugs. However, the younger donor group presented with cardiac arrest more often (GI: 14 vs. GII: 3%, P=.005). There were no differences in initial poor function (GI: 6% vs. GII: 7,7%; P=.71), ICU stay (GI: 2.7±2 vs. GII: 3.3±3.8, P=.46), hospital stay (GI: 13.5±10 vs. GII: 15.5±11, P=.1), or hospital mortality (GI: 5.3 vs. GII: 5.8%, P=.66) between receptors of more or less than 70 year old grafts. After a median follow up of 32 months, no differences were found in the incidence of biliary tract complications (GI: 17 vs. GII: 20%, P=.4) or vascular complications (GI: 11 vs. GII: 9%, P=.69). The actuarial 5 year survival was similar for both study groups (GI: 70 vs. GII: 76%, P=.54)., Conclusions: In our experience, the use of grafts from donors older than 70 years, when other risk factors are avoided (cold ischemia, steatosis, sodium levels), does not worsen the results of liver transplantation on the short or long term., (Copyright © 2014 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Renal failure is a frequent complication in liver transplant recipients and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A variety of risk factors for the development of renal failure in the pre- and post-transplantation periods have been described, as well as at the time of surgery. To reduce the negative impact of renal failure in this population, an active approach is required for the identification of those patients with risk factors, the implementation of preventive strategies, and the early detection of progressive deterioration of renal function. Based on published evidence and on clinical experience, this document presents a series of recommendations on monitoring RF in LT recipients, as well as on the prevention and management of acute and chronic renal failure after LT and referral of these patients to the nephrologist. In addition, this document also provides an update of the various immunosuppressive regimens tested in this population for the prevention and control of post-transplantation deterioration of renal function., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and AEEH y AEG. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objective: Combined heart and liver transplantation for familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is currently the best treatment for patients with cardiomyopathy related to FAP. However, its optimal timing and the possibility of domino liver transplantation in this setting remain under discussion. Most such cases in the medical literature have been performed simultaneously, although many of them have required the use of veno-venous bypass and the majority have not used the liver as a graft for domino liver transplantation., Patients and Method: We report 3 cases of non-Val30Met mutation that underwent sequential heart and domino liver transplantation at our institution., Results: We describe the 3 cases and the medical literature, with special attention to the reason for sequential heart and liver transplantation, the role of transient elastography in this setting, and the feasibility of domino liver transplantation., Conclusion: In our experience, combined heart and liver transplantation is a feasible but challenging procedure for patients with FAP. Performing the procedure sequentially rather than simultaneously seems safer and easier, both technically and hemodynamically. More importantly, such an approach allows the use of livers from FAP patients as grafts for domino liver transplantation., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To analyse the indications and results of pancreatic metastasis resection in a university hospital., Patients and Methods: An analysis was performed on a prospective database from 1990 to 2010. The clinical-pathological and perioperative details, as well the follow-up results were analysed., Results: Of the 710 pancreatic resections performed, 7 cases (0.99%) were due to a metastasis in the pancreas. The mean age of the patients was 53.3 years (20-77 years), and 5 were male and 2 were women. Five (70%) patients were asymptomatic. The origin of the metastasis was: colon (n=3), kidney (n=2), jejunum (n=1), and testicle (n=1). In 4 cases they were situated in the head, 2 in the tail, and one in the body. The metastases were metachronous in 4 (57%) patients and the disease free interval was 29 months (17-48). There were 3 cases (43%) of synchronous metastases, with a mean recurrence-free time of 14 months, and survival of 21.6 months. This was lower than that of patients with metachronous metastases, which was 27.8 months and with a survival of 32 months, respectively. The overall disease free interval and survival was 21.85 months and 27.5 months, respectively., Conclusion: Resection of pancreatic metastases can extend survival in selected patients., (Copyright © 2012 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

The use of biological markers is developing in the field of liver transplant. Biomarkers are being studied in different contexts: 1) detection of tolerant patient; 2) recurrence of hepatitis C virus; 3) diagnosis and prognosis of liver cancers, and 4) diagnosis of infection. The immunological changes occurring in the transplant patient given their previous cirrhotic condition, the immunosuppression received, and possible intercurrent diagnoses (rejection, recurrence of hepatitis C virus…) highlight the importance of finding useful biomarkers in clinical practice to diagnose infection. After a review of the usefulness of biomarkers, we should perhaps add the serial determination of C-reactive protein in the immediate post-operative period, and later on procalcitonin, in the infection diagnosis algorithm. Although the determination of procalcitonin appears to be the most reliable biomarker in the differential diagnosis of sepsis and rejection, the studies carried out make it difficult to establish conclusions on its real clinical usefulness., (Copyright © 2010 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

There have been biliary complications since the beginning of liver transplants, and is a topic of great interest due to its high incidence, as well as their influence on morbidity and mortality. The biliary fistula is currently uncommon and its management is straightforward. Anastomotic stenosis continues to have an incidence of 10-15%. Although the current treatment of choice is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), surgical treatment (hepatico-jejunostomy) continues to have an important role. Non-anastomotic stenosis has an incidence of 5-10%, and is associated with ischaemic or immunological factors, and usually involves a re-transplant. Choledocholithiasis has an incidence of 5-10%, with the treatment of choice being ERCP. However the treatment of biliary complications should be individualised. We must take into account, liver function, the general health status of the patient, and the availability and experience of the team in the different therapeutic options., (Copyright © 2011 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (CDP) is the treatment of choice in cancer of the head of the pancreas. However, it continues to have a high post-surgical morbidity and mortality. The aim of this article is to define variables that influence post-surgical morbidity and mortality after cephalic duodenopancreatectomy due to pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) cancer of the head of the pancreas (CHP)., Material and Methods: The variables were prospectively collected form patients operated on between 1991 and 2007, in order to investigate the factors of higher morbidity., Results: A total of 204 patients had been intervened due to PA, of whom 57 were older than 70 years. Of these patients, 119 had a CPD, 11 extended lymphadenectomy, 66 with pyloric conservation, and 8 with extension to total pancreatectomy due to involvement of the section margin. Portal or mesenteric vein resection was included in 35 cases. Post-surgical complications were detected in 45% of cases, the most frequent being: slow gastric emptying (20%), surgical wound infection (17%), pancreatic fistula (10%), and serious medical complications (8%). Further surgery was required in 13%, and the over post-surgical mortality was 7%. A patient age greater than 70 years, post-surgical haemoperitoneum, gastroenteric dehiscence, and the presence of medical complications were post-surgical mortality risk factors in the multivariate analysis. Pancreatic fistula was not a factor associated with post-surgical mortality., Conclusions: Cephalic duodenopancreatectomy is a safe technique but with a considerable morbidity. Patients over 70 years of age must be carefully selected before considering surgery. Serious medical complications must be treated aggressively to avoid an unfavourable progression., (Copyright © 2010 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: Management of biliary tract complications (BTC) after liver transplantation (LT) has progressed in recent years. The aims of this study were, to analyse the incidence and management in our institution of BTC after 1000 LT; and to study the management of patients with anastomotic strictures (AS)., Results: The incidence of BTC was 23%. There were 76 cases of bile leak, 106 cases of anastomotic strictures, 46 non-anastomotic strictures, 42 choledocolithiasis and 19 other complications. Among 106 cases of anastomotic strictures, radiological treatment, either PTC or ERCP, was initially indicated in 62. The AS of 38 patients (33%) were resolved with surgical treatment, 18 of them after a previous attempt at radiological treatment. Patients who were treated initially by radiologically required more procedures. Morbidity and mortality related to BTC were slightly higher in the group of patients treated by radiology (morbidity: surgical: 4 (18%) vs. radiological: 20 (32%); p=0.2 and mortality: surgical: 0% vs. radiological: 8 (11%); p=0.23). Among 46 patients with non-anastomotic strictures, 29 were resolved with retransplantation (63%)., Conclusions: Surgery has a significant role in the management of BTC, and is the treatment of choice in some cases of anastomotic strictures. Retransplantation may be the preferred option in patients with non-anastomotic strictures., (Copyright (c) 2009 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Management of the cystic lesions of the pancreas is of interest to general and pancreatic surgeons and physicians of other disciplines: gastroenterology, internal medicine, endoscopy, radiology, pathology, etc. The majority of cystic lesions are inflammatory pseudo-cysts. Cystic neoplasms represents only 10% of cystic lesions of the pancreas and 1% of pancreatic tumours. Preoperative diagnosis is crucial given the differences in natural history of the spectrum of benign, malignant, and borderline lesions. Serous cystadenoma is a benign lesion that requires non-surgical management if there are no symptoms. Mucinous neoplasms are premalignant lesions that mainly require pancreatic resection. Despite improved radiographic imaging techniques, definitive diagnosis is only made after studying the resection sample. The pancreatic surgical risk is a problem for the appropriate management of these patients.

Background: Unsuspected intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastases are frequently discovered at laparotomy in patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases (CLM), and 60% of these patients will develop a recurrent tumour within 3 years, after a "curative" liver resection. These findings strongly support the need for more effective preoperative staging. The combined positron emission tomography-computed tomography technique (PET-CT) has emerged as a promising diagnostic modality for determining whether patients with recurrent disease in the liver are suitable candidates for curative resection., Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the additional value of information provided by PET-CT compared to that of conventional radiological studies (CT and MR) in patients with resectable CLM., Patients and Method: Between June 2006 and August 2007, 63 patients evaluated for a first resection of CLM were entered into a prospective database. Each patient received a CT-MR and a PET-CT. Forty-three patients underwent a laparotomy and 42 a hepatectomy. The main end point of the study was to assess the impact of the PET-CT findings on the therapeutic strategy., Results: New findings in the PET-CT resulted in a change in the therapeutic strategy in 9 (14%) of the patients. However, PET-CT provided additional information was true positive by revealing abdominal extrahepatic metastases only in 4 (6.4%) patients, and falsely over-staged four patients and under staged one patient. Lesion-by-lesion sensitivity and predictive positive value for liver lesions were 78,4% and 96% for CT-MR alone, and 55% and 100% for PET-CT respectively. PET-CT was superior to CT-MR for the detection of local recurrence at the site of the initial colorectal surgery., Conclusions: In the selection of patients with CLM being considered for surgical therapy, PET-CT provided useful information only in 6.4% of cases. Possibly longer follow-up will increase this percentage. Our findings support the use of PET-CT mainly in patients with high risk of local recurrence.

Objective: The objective of the study is to review our experience in the surgical treatment of Klatskin tumours, after the systematic application of the current concepts of radicalism. Sixty-one patients resected using these criteria are presented., Patients and Method: We have studied 154 patients. Surgery was ruled out in 59 (41%) of them, and a liver transplant was performed on 9; of the 86 patients operated on, 25 were resectable. Resectability was 71% (of the 86 patients operated on) and was 39% of the total patients. The results during two periods are compared, 1989-1998 (pre-99) and 1999-2007 (post-99)., Results: On comparing the two periods, resectability increased from 26% to 53% (p = 0.01), the percentage of exploratory laparotomies decreasing (pre: 45% vs post: 22%; p = 0.04). Hepatectomy was performed in 53 cases (87%), being most frequent post-99 (pre: 66% vs post: 91%; p = 0.02). Resection of the caudate was performed in 48 cases (90%), being most frequent in the post-99 period (pre: 40% vs pos: 89%; p = 0.005). Post-operative morbidity was 77%, with 28% the patients being re-operated on, and the post-operative mortality was 16.4%, with no significant differences between the periods. Actuarial survival at 5 years increases in the post-99 period (pre: 26% vs post: 51%; p = 0.06)., Conclusions: Adequate staging, associated with an aggressive surgical strategy can achieve a greater than 50% resectability rate. The post-operative morbidity and mortality of this strategy is high, but the survival that it achieves justifies this.

Extrahepatic complications from hepatic cystic echinococcosis are rare and may be life threatening. Although the prevalence of echinococcosis in Spain had decreased, the number of cases of this disease and its severity has risen again due to immigration. We report the case of a patient with a giant hepatic echinococcus cyst diagnosed during investigation of an abdominal mass. The mass was associated with three other cysts: the first cyst was fistulized to the biliary tract, without clinical or laboratory alterations, the second cyst was fistulized to the right pleural cavity, leading to pleural echinococcosis and respiratory distress due to massive pleural effusion, and the third cyst was calcified. The challenge in this case layed in its diagnosis and treatment. The clinical presentation was unusual due to the extension of the disease, hampering complete cystic excision.

Introduction: Surgery that preserves the duodenopancreatic region has become well-established in chronic pancreatitis (CP) and some groups have begun to use these techniques to treat benign tumors and even those with uncertain potential malignancy. However, the technical complexity of this type of intervention may be greater than that of cephalic duodenopancreatectomy and complications may be even more frequent and consequently the indications for these procedures are debated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the experience accumulated at our center over the past few years in the use of pancreatic surgery preserving the duodenopancreatic region (PS). MATERIAL AND METHODS. Between 1996 and 2006, we carried out PS in 24 patients with disease localized in the head of the pancreas. PS was defined as any of the following techniques: resection of the head of the pancreas with duodenal preservation (RHPDP), uncinatectomy (UC) and cystic tumor enucleation (EN)., Results: RHPDP was performed in 20 patients (83%), UC in 1 (4%) and EN in 3 (13%). Surgery was performed for CP in 11 patients, serous cystoadenoma in 4, intraductal papillary mucinous tumor in 5 and miscellaneous injuries in the four remaining patients. Overall, the series showed 54% morbidity with no post-operative mortality. The median length of postoperative hospital stay was 11 days (7-43)., Conclusion: After analyzing the experience accumulated over the years, showing nil mortality and acceptable morbidity, we believe that the use of these 3 techniques for preserving the pancreatic parenchyma is useful when their suitability is rigorously indicated. Subsequent studies should look in depth at improving quality of life and physiological effects, depending on the technique used.

This article aims to review the state of the art in ablation techniques for hepatic lesions. In addition to discussing the indications, outcomes, and potential complications of the technique, we illustrate the spectrum of imaging findings after treatment. Recent years have seen the development of a wide variety of minimally invasive techniques to treat liver cancer. These include ethanol injection, and thermal ablation using radiofrequency, laser, microwaves, or cryosurgery. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is one of the most promising non-surgical treatments for hepatic neoplasms. The results of several studies show that radiofrequency ablation enables adequate local control of tumors with few complications, achieving acceptable survival rates. Radiofrequency ablation can be performed using any imaging technique, although it is most commonly performed under ultrasound guidance. CT and MRI show the degree of tumor necrosis better and are more frequently employed in follow up. This article reviews the indications and contraindications for the procedure, potential complications, long-term outcome, and imaging findings for percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatic tumors.

Unlabelled: Percutaneous ethanol injection is a useful option in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma which are not amenable to resection or transplantation. We describe a case of cholecystitis and tumour infiltration of the gallbladder after percutaneous ethanol injection, a complication not previously described in literature. The patient was a 70-year-old woman with a history of asymptomatic HCV+ hepatopathy and a 6 cm hepatocellular carcinoma nodule in segment V which had been treated two months before by percutaneous ethanol injection in another center. She attended our center due to febrile syndrome. Imaging studies suggested cholecystitis with an abscess on the wall of the gallbladder, purulent material obtained by means of a CT-guided puncture. Surgery revealed purulent and neoplasic material inside the gallbladder, with tumor invasion of the posterior wall; a partial cholecystectomy was therefore performed and a drainage inserted. The patient showed no post-operative complications and was discharged after seven days., Conclusion: we believe that the percutaneous ethanol injection of hepatocellular carcinomas located close to the gallbladder may occasionally lead to complications in the form of cholecystitis with neoplasic infiltration of the gallbladder. A case of cholecystitis secondary to radiofrequency treatment of a similarly-located tumor has previously been described and, therefore, the use of percutaneous local destructive treatments for tumors close to the gallbladder would seem unadvisable.

Background: In domino liver transplantation (LT), the explanted liver of a patient with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is donated to another patient., Patients and Method: Between February 1999 and March 2001 we performed 131 LT with 121 cadaveric donors in our unit. Ten domino LTs were performed., Results: Patients with FAP were younger (37 years) than recipients of the second LT (64 years). The evolution of patients undergoing transplantation for FAP was excellent and all are currently alive and without complications. Among recipients of the second LT, one patient died in the postoperative period. A further two patients died from tumoral recurrence and hepatitis C virus recurrence 18 months and 9 months after transplantation, respectively. The remaining patients have shown no symptoms of FAP during the follow-up., Conclusion: The results of this study show that domino LT is technically feasible. The technique increases the number of grafts without apparent risk either to the recipient with FAP or to the recipient of the latter's explanted liver.

Objective: To describe the hemodynamic pattern of patients undergoing liver transplantation with preservation of portocaval flow., Patients and Methods: A prospective study of 20 cirrhotic patients who had not previously undergone surgery for portal hypertension or had porto-systemic bypass, both of which have hemodynamic effects in the cirrhotic patient. The patients were transplanted with preservation of inferior vena cava flow and temporary portocaval shunt., Results: The decrease in cardiac output during the anhepatic phase was only 10% and mean blood pressure (77.6 +/- 11 versus 76 +/- 10 mm Hg) and supply pressures (central venous pressure 9.1 +/- 5.5 versus 8.4 +/- 5.3 mm Hg; pulmonary capillary pressure 11.4 +/- 6.1 versus 11.3 +/- 7.4 mm Hg) remained stable. Likewise, no significant increase in systemic vascular resistance (614 +/- 223 versus 676 +/- 306 dyne-sec/cm5) or heart rate (90 +/- 14 versus 97 +/- 17 beats/min). The number of units of packed red cells was 2.7 +/- 2.5 and 35% of the patients required no transfusions. Diuresis was stable throughout the procedure (total diuresis 3.6 +/- 2.4 mL/Kg/h; anhepatic phase 1.3 +/- 1.5 mL/Kg/h)., Conclusions: Creation of a portocaval shunt during the anhepatic phase of liver transplantation allows hemodynamic vital signs to be held stable, decreases the need for transfusion and maintains diuresis.

Aim: To analyze our results in the management of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), especially in patients who required surgery., Methods: In a retrospective study, 90 patients admitted between January 1992 and January 1998 were diagnosed as having SAP on the basis of clinical and radiological criteria. Contrast-enhanced tomography (CT) was done in all patients. The surgical technique of choice was necrosectomy and postoperative local lavage., Results: Seventy percent of the patients (63/90) had pancreatic necrosis. Tomography had a sensitivity of 73% in detecting necrosis. Forty-nine patients (54%) needed surgery: 31 had infected SAP and 18 had sterile pancreatitis. Overall mortality rate was 25.6% (23/90); mortality was 43.8% (14/32) in patients with infected pancreatitis and 15.5% (9/58) in those with sterile SAP (p < 0.05). The mortality rate was 44.4% higher (8/18) in patients with sterile SAP who were operated on. Patients with infected SAP who were operated on during the first week of admission had a higher mortality rate (81%) than those operated on after the first week (20%) (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Pancreatic necrosis and infection are the most important prognostic factors in the course of SAP. The sooner the patients are operated on, the worse the prognosis, especially if there is infection. Efforts should be aimed at avoiding the onset of infection and organ failure, and at delaying surgery.