Regardless of the cause and severity, pancreatitis can result in many and various complications. These may be systemic (multi-organ failure) or localised. Localised complications such as clotting or bleeding from vessels adjacent to the inflamed pancreas, dying off of pancreatic tissue or fluid collections can all occur. As you can imagine, managing these issues in an acutely unwell patient can be a challenge and often requires intensive care and interventional radiology involvement. Surgery is sometimes required but is only pursued following due consideration given the risks involved. Multidisciplinary management is again key, with the involvement of surgeons, radiologists, gastroenterologists, critical care specialists, the pain team, nursing staff and allied health all being crucial to a good outcome.
