PANCREATIC ASCITES

Course overview

PANCREATIC ASCITES IS A SOMEWHAT RARE ENTITY THAT RESULTS FROM A PANCREATIC DUCT INJURY, LEADING TO PERSISTENT LEAKAGE OF PANCREATIC SECRETIONS INTO THE PERITONEUM. THE SEVERITY OF THIS CONDITION VARIES WIDELY AND IS OFTEN DEPENDANT ON THE LOCATION AND DEGREE OF DUCTAL INJURY AND ANY INFECTION IN THE FLUID. WHILE MILD CASES OF PANCREATIC ASCITES RESOLVE SPONTANEOUSLY, PERSISTENT PANCREATIC ASCITES AND INFECTION ARE ASSOCIATED WITH SIGNIFICANT MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY. THIS ACTIVITY ILLUSTRATES THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF PANCREATIC ASCITES AND REVIEWS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN MANAGING THOSE WITH THIS CONDITION.