Objective To evaluate the effect of early clinical interference strategies on preventing the conversion of acute pancreatitis to the severe form and aggravation of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods The patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to this hospital were divided into two therapeutic phases by different therapeutic methods from January 2001 to December 2008. Patients in the first phase (from January 2001 to December 2004) were treated by the routine management, and the second phase (from January 2005 to December 2008) by the routine management combined with early clinical interference strategies. Then, the ratio of conversion from acute pancreatitis to SAP and prognosis of SAP between two phases were compared. Results Compared with the first phase, the rate of aggravation of acute pancreatitis was significantly decreased in the second phase (4.48% vs. 21.18%), the average healing time of SAP, the incidences of systemic and local complications and the mortality of pancreatitis were reduced (P＜0.05). When early clinical interference strategies were performed, some adverse reaction and complications occurred in 35 cases, but without severe consequence. Conclusion Early clinical interference strategies may serve as a beneficial strategy on preventing the progression of mild acute pancreatitis to the severe form or halting the aggravation of acute pancreatitis.
