Acute pancreatitis

[Huderon]

Has anyone any idea what the likely outcome is for someone with this who is in intensive care, in an induced coma and on a ventilator ?

[ummmm]

It's risky...

http://digestive.nidd...es/pubs/pancreatitis/

[Sqad]

If this is the whole story that you have given us....the outcome should be favourable.

Depends upon age, underlying medical conditions ect, but from what little you have said..............fine..........should be OK.

[boxtops]

Sorry for your friend. My friend suffered this several years ago, he said that the pain was indescribable. After a few days in hospital, they let him home, and he is fine now. It all depends (IMO) on how much damage has been done - fingers very crossed for your friend.

[rowanwitch]

If things stay as they are then the chances are pretty good average for itu patients is about 85% survival with single organ support (ie the ventilator) if other systems fail it becomes very different though so if they start to use drugs to support blood pressure or start dialysis there is more need to worry. The length of time on the ventilator is significant too and the age and general fitness of the patient before they became ill.

[Huderon]

Thank you all for your answers.

From what I've been told, he originally went into hospital with gallstones and things went downhill, but that was secondhand and my brothers are not the best at passing on information. From the way it was told to me (people taking shifts to be at the bedside 24/7), I was thinking I might have to dust off my funeral suit.

Sqad, as far as I know there are no underlying conditions, and he's in his early 50's.

[Sqad]

Huderon...thanks, then I agree with rowan....the outlook SHOULD be favourable.

[Nightingal]

Huderon, I am also researching this......I wonder if we know the same man, is your friend American?

[mike11111]

Had the same thing 18 months ago, though not in a coma or on a ventilator. Heavy doses of antibiotics seemed to cure the immediate problem, had my gall bladder out 10 months later and so far, fingers crossed, no real problems.

[evedawn]

our 62 yr old neighbour had almost the same (ITU, etc) and he has made a complete recovery