In this study we evaluated the demografic features, etiological factors and the management of acute pancreatitis.

The data of 129 patients with acute pacreatitis between 1996-2006 at Fırat Üniversity General Surgery Department were evaluated retrospectively.

Mean age of the patients with acute pancreatitis was 58.2 years. Etiological factors were gallstones in 83, diuretic useage in 6, hiperlipidemia in 3 and alcohol in 2 patients. For 34 patients the etiological factor could not be determined. ERCP was performed to 43 patients with biliary obstruction with no complication. Cholecystectomy was performed in 36 patients following the acute pancreatitis attack and in 20 for the persistant biliary acute pancreatitits in the first 48 hours period. . In severe acute pancreatitis, 5 necrosectomy and drainage, two planned relaparatomy and necrosectomy, three peritoneal lavage under local anesthesia and one diagnostic laparoscopy were performed. Mean hospitalization times were 12,2 days for mild and 13,6 days severe acute pancreatitis. mortality rate was seen in 6 patients (%4,7).

Acute pancreatitis is potantially a mortal condition. Gallstones were the most common etiological factor . In gallstone acute pancratitis ERCP is a useful method in the first stage of the disease although still a specific treatement of acute pancreatitis is lacking.