All 78 patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to one hospital in a 2-year period were included in a prospective survey of conservative management. The overall mortality rate was 11.5 per cent, being 46 per cent for 11 patients subjected to early laparotomy and only 6 per cent for patients managed without operation. Twenty-six patients were considered to have severe acute pancreatitis and all 9 deaths occurred in this group. Biliary disease was present in 51 per cent of patients, and the majority of those with biliary disease were over 60 years old. Alcohol-related acute pancreatitis occurred in 26 per cent of the total patients, and none of this group was over 60 years old. Acute pancreatitis was considered idiopathic in origin in only 13 per cent of the patients. Elective biliary surgery in 30 patients resulted in freedom from recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis for the follow-up period (12-30 months). The results compare favourably with those in which glucagon and high dosage aprotinin (Trasylol) have been utilized in the management of acute pancreatitis.

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