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Background: Necrotizing pancreatitis is generally considered to involve the pancreatic parenchyma in all patients, and, as an extension of the necrotic process, the peripancreatic tissues as well. We identified a subgroup of patients in whom the necrotic process involves apparently extrapancreatic tissues alone (EXPN), as opposed to the usual combined parenchymal and peripancreatic necrosis (PN). Study Design: The objective of this study was to compare clinical courses of EXPN and PN. Data were reviewed on 82 consecutive patients with necrotizing pancreatitis treated operatively between 1983 and 1997. The extent of pancreatic parenchymal necrosis (expressed as percent of pancreas based on contrast-enhanced CT and operative findings) was estimated in 62 patients. Diagnosis of EXPN required normal enhancement of entire pancreas on dynamic CT and operative documentation of viability of the gland. Results: Twelve patients (19%) had EXPN and 50 (81%) had PN. Gender, age, body mass index, etiology of pancreatitis, prevalence, and type of infection were similar between groups, but APACHE-II scores on admission were less in EXPN (6 ± 2 versus 10 ± 1, p = 0.02). Patients with EXPN required fewer reoperative necrosectomies (0.7 versus 3.2, p = 0.009) and did not develop pancreatic or gastrointestinal fistulas (0 versus 19 patients) or hemorrhage (0 versus 8 patients). ICU stays were similar, but hospital stays in EXPN were shorter (29 ± 6 versus 54 ± 5 days, p = 0.01) and mortality was less (8% and 20%, p Conclusions: Necrotizing pancreatitis manifesting as EXPN is not rare. EXPN is a less aggressive form of necrotizing pancreatitis, locally and systemically, and signifies a better prognosis.

Background: Anecdotal reports suggest that patients with fungal infection of necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) have worse outcomes than those with bacterial infection. Our aim was to compare the clinical course and outcomes of patients with NP infected with fungal versus nonfungal organisms. Study Design: Prospectively collected data on 57 patients with infected NP (1983–1995) were reviewed. Results: Seven patients (12%) developed fungal infection, and 50 (88%) developed bacterial infection. Groups had similar mean ages (60 versus 63 years) and APACHE-II scores on admission (9 each). The cause of NP was ERCP-induced in 3 of 7 with fungal infection versus 3 of 50 with bacterial infection. Patients with fungal infection had been treated with a mean of 4 different antibiotics for a mean of 23 days, and 4 of 7 (57%) required mechanical ventilation preoperatively. In addition, postoperative ICU stays were longer (20 versus 10 days), as were total hospital stays (59 versus 41 days). Mortality was higher with fungal infection; 3 of 7 patients (43%) died versus 10 of 50 patients (20%). Conclusions: Although NP presents with similar initial severity, patients with fungal infection of NP tend to have a more complicated course and worse outcomes compared with those with bacterial infection. Low-dose antifungal prophylaxis should be added to early management of NP.