Features of a specialist unit for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis
| HDU, high dependency unit; ITU, intensive therapy unit; CT, computed tomography; EUS, endoscopic ultrasound; MR, magnetic resonance; ERCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. | |
| Clinicians | A multidisciplinary team of specialists in surgery, endoscopy, intensive care, anaesthesia, gastroenterology, nutrition, and full support staff |
| Team leader | A surgeon or gastroenterologist with specific knowledge of and interest in pancreaticobiliary disease |
| Critical care | Facilities for HDU/ITU management of critically ill patients including renal and respiratory support |
| Radiology | Expertise permitting the use of dynamic helical or multislice CT, percutaneous needle aspiration, and drainage procedures: MR and angiography are helpful but not essential |
| Endoscopy | Facilities for ERCP and all therapeutic endoscopy (on an emergency basis) by an experienced endoscopist. |
| EUS available as an elective diagnostic procedure | |