Abstract
The Evidence-based Japanese Practical Guidelines for Acute Pancreatitis were published in 2003. To evaluate changes in the treatment for and mortality of acute pancreatitis in Japan, the Japanese Society for Abdominal Emergency Medicine Reevaluation Committee for Practical Guidelines for Acute Pancreatitis surveyed members of the Japan Pancreas Society, Japanese Society for Abdominal Emergency Medicine, Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary Pancreatic Surgery, and Research Committee on Intractable Pancreatic Diseases, Division of Gastrointestinal Diseases, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan. Many of the clinical practices for acute pancreatitis were changed according to the guidelines. The mortality from severe pancreatitis subsequently decreased (10.2% in 2002, and 7.6% in 2004). However, some doctors, even those with expertise in the pancreas, have not seen the guidelines and therefore have not changed their treatment modalities. After evaluating these questionnaires, we are now working on revision of these guidelines. The revised guidelines will be published in March 2007.
