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European Survey of Surgical Strategies for the Management of Severe Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES:This study is the first pan-European survey of surgical strategies for the management of severe acute pancreatitis.METHODS:A questionnaire survey was undertaken of the 866 members of the European chapter of the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (IHPBA). There were 329 replies from practicing clinicians giving a response rate of 38%.RESULTS:The modal case volume was 11–20 patients per year. Severity stratification was used by 324 (99%) respondents with the Ranson score being the most popular. Antibiotic prophylaxis was utilized by 239 (73%) with the median duration being 7 days (range 1–28; 95% CI: 8–9). Fine needle aspiration of necrosis was undertaken by 174 (53%) and 131 would operate on a patient with a positive result. There was no consensus on optimum timing of surgery.CONCLUSIONS:The results of this first pan-European questionnaire demonstrate wide variations in care. Overall, the findings provide a unique insight into the current management of severe acute pancreatitis in Europe.