[Acute pancreatitis]

Acute pancreatitis is a common disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite recent improvements in our understanding of the disease process and the development of a range of supportive measures, today's treatment approaches are still less than ideal. Here I present some of the key points from generally accepted guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis, including the operational classification system approved in Atlanta, USA, 1992. Moreover, the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance as well as new approaches to treatment, including data on prophylactic antibiotics, selective digestive decontamination, and enteral nutrition in acute pancreatitis, are discussed in more detail.