• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.306-325
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a Dachaihu decoction for hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP) by systematic review and meta-analysis of Chinese clinical studies. Methods: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was utilized as the major search engine. The date of the literature search was March 7, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about using a Dachaihu decoction for HLAP were included in this study. Meta-analysis was performed by synthesizing outcome data, including total effective rate, abdomen pain relief time, first bowel movement time, blood amylase recovery time, and triglyceride (TG) levels (mmol/L). The selected literature was assessed using Cochrane's risk of bias (RoB). Results: Twelve of 44 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were evaluated with RoB as having unclear risk. The total effective rate of herbal medicine treatment based on the Dachaihu decoction was significantly higher than that of symptomatic supportive treatment in 10 articles (risk ratio=1.15, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.21, p<0.00001, I²=0%). Herbal medicine treatment based on a Dachaihu decoction was significantly more effective than symptomatic supportive treatment in terms of reducing abdomen pain relief time (in all articles; mean difference=-1.70, 95% CI: -1.91 to -1.41, p<0.00001, I²=45%), first bowel movement time (in 7 articles; mean difference=-1.46, 95% CI: -1.86 to -1.05, p<0.00001, I²=73%), blood amylase recovery time (in 8 articles; mean difference=-1.48, 95% CI: -2.04 to -0.92, p<0.00001, I²=90%), and TG levels (in 8 articles; mean difference=-1.59, 95% CI: -2.28to -0.91, p<0.00001, I²=90%). Only one article reported side effects of treatment among the intervention group and control group, citing pancreatic ulcer and pancreatic pseudocyst formation. Conclusions: This study suggests that herbal medicine treatment based on a Dachaihu decoction could yield higher efficacy for HLAP than symptomatic supportive treatment alone. However, the results might be somewhat biased because of the poor quality and small sample size of the included RCTs. Well-qualified clinical studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of Dachaihu decoction therapy for HLAP.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 2010

Purpose: Since there are few studies involving acute pancreatitis in children, we reviewed our experience with this medical condition to describe the clinical features. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted by reviewing the medical records of 41 patients with AP who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Pusan National University Hospital between January 1996 and June 2007. Results: Twenty males and 21 females (mean age, 8.7${\pm}$4.5 years) were included. In 22 patients (53.7%), no definitive causes were found. The most common etiologies were choledochal cysts (22.0%). Necrotizing pancreatitis was diagnosed in 5 patients (12.2%), and recurrent acute pancreatitis in 4 patients (9.8%). CT findings included pancreatic swelling (43.9%), peripancreatic fluid collection (29.3%), ascites (24.4%), and peripancreatic fat necrosis (12.2%). Serum amylase and lipase levels at diagnosis were 535.3${\pm}$553.2 and 766.2${\pm}$723.6 U/L, respectively, and were normalized within 1 week in 22 and 14 patients, respectively. On the basis of the Balthazar scale, 2 patients were diagnosed with severe AP. In 4 patients (9.8%), a surgical procedure was indicated. Major complications included ascites (32.3%), sepsis (16.1%), and pseudocyst and renal impairments (12.9%). Two patients died from multi-organ failure. Conclusion: The etiologies of AP in children are varied. Most children have a single episode and a self-limited course. However, AP of childhood still carries significant morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment according to disease severity, and management of complications are important.