Q: When should serum amylase and lipase levels be repeated in a patient with acute pancreatitis?

摘要

A: In general, repeating serum amylase and lipase levels has no value once the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis has been made. In gallstone-related acute pancreatitis (ie, in most cases), delaying surgery for several days for the pancreas to “cool down” is common practice, but repeating serum pancreatic enzyme levels daily during this period is of no prognostic value, as the levels do not correlate with the severity, course, or outcome of the acute pancreatitis.1–3 Rather, the decision to proceed with treatment should be based on clinical measures, such as improvement of pain or increasing appetite.