Acute pancreatitis after cesarean section

Abstract

The prevalence of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy is low; similarly to the non-pregnant population, the outcome varies from mild to fatal forms. Occurrence of the disease in pregnancy is mostly in the third trimester or the postpartum period. The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is cholelithiasis but hypertriglyceridemia, fatty diet, obesity and alcohol consumption are further predisposing factors. A 27-year-old twin-pregnant woman developed acute severe pain 2 days after a cesarean section. Labor tests showed elevated amylase (1080 U/L) and lipase (2670 U/L) serum levels. For the purpose of pain relief, we inserted an epidural catheter and indicated an abdominal computer tomography examination. The abdominal imaging did not show morphological disorder of the pancreas or cholangial obstruction. We performed conservative therapy, early per os feeding, pain relief and fluid resuscitation. On the postpartum 7. day, the serum pancreas enzyme levels decreased to normal and the patient - with her babies - was discharged home. Though acute pancreatitis is a rare event in pregnancy, we should consider it in cases with acute, typical or non-typical pain. It is challenging to differentiate the disease from the acute syndromes of pregnancy. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(31): 1231-1234.