What are the complications of severe pancreatitis

Severe pancreatitis not only affects the patient's health, but also causes great danger of complications, so scientific prevention must be emphasized. Common complications are pancreatic cysts and pseudocysts. Some may cause systemic complications such as respiratory distress and gastrointestinal bleeding.

1. Local complications

① Glandular abscess: 2 to 3 weeks after the onset of severe pancreatitis, abscesses form due to secondary infection of pancreatic and peripancreatic necrosis. At this time, there is high fever, abdominal pain, upper abdominal mass and symptoms of poisoning;

② Pseudocyst: It is usually formed 3 to 4 weeks after the onset of the disease, and is caused by pancreatic juice and liquefied necrotic tissue wrapped in or around the pancreas. They are mostly located at the tail of the pancreas, ranging in size from a few millimeters to tens of centimeters, and can compress adjacent tissues and cause corresponding symptoms. There is no epithelium in the cyst wall, only necrotic granulation and fibrous tissue. Cyst rupture can cause pancreatic ascites.

2. Systemic complications Severe pancreatitis is often complicated by varying degrees of multiple organ failure (MOF):

① Acute respiratory failure: acute respiratory distress syndrome, sudden onset, progressive respiratory distress, cyanosis, etc., which cannot be relieved by conventional oxygen therapy;

②Acute renal failure: manifested by oliguria, proteinuria, and progressive increase in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine;

③ Heart failure and arrhythmia: pericardial effusion, arrhythmia and heart failure;

④ Gastrointestinal bleeding: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is mostly caused by stress ulcers or mucosal erosions, and lower gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by pancreatic necrosis penetrating the transverse colon;

⑤ Pancreatic encephalopathy: manifested as mental abnormalities (illusions, hallucinations, manic states) and disorientation, etc.;

⑥ Sepsis and fungal infection: Gram-negative bacteria are the main pathogens in the early stage, and mixed bacteria are found in the later stage. Sepsis often coexists with pancreatic abscess. In severe cases, the body's resistance is extremely low, and with the large-scale use of antibiotics, fungal infection is very likely to occur.

⑦ Hyperglycemia: mostly temporary;