The management of acute pancreatitis in patients with organophosphorus poisoning: a report of 15 cases

Abstract

Objective To investigate the factors influencing the incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) in patients with organophosphorus poisoning and explore the effectiveness of measures for its prevention and treatment. Methods Clinical data of 50 patients with organophosphorus poisoning were reviewed retrospectively in our center between January 2001 and December 2006. Results The incidence of AP in patients with organophosphorus poisoning was 30% (15/50), and 14 patients suffered from MAP, while one patient occurred SAP. 13 of 15 AP patients underwent gastric lavage with cold normal saline; gastric tube was placed in 14 patients; toxic doses over 50 ml were observed in 10 patients; atropine overdose were observed in 11 patients. There were 35 cases of organophosphorus poisoning alone, and 2 of them underwent gastric lavage with cold normal saline; gastric tube was not placed in 1 patient; toxic doses over 50 ml were not observed in all the patients. The toxic dose, water temperature for gastric lavage, gastric tube placement, duration from poisoning to treatment between the two groups were significantly different (P＜0.01). All the patients with organophosphorus poisoning alone survived, while in these 15 patients with AP, 14 patients were cured, 1 patient died. Conclusions Organophosphorus poisoning can induce AP and development of AP was possibly related to organophosphorus poisoning and improper treatment. Key words: Pancreatitis; Pesticides; Poisoning