Abstract Acute pancreatitis may be defined as the development of acute inflammation of the pancreas initially localized to the pancreatic parenchyma and interstitium. It is a fairly common condition with an annual incidence of the United States of 80 cases per 100,000 individuals. Within the United States, the annual cost of hospital facilities for the treatment of pancreatic diseases is approximately $3.6–6 billion a year. There is also an annual cost to society of $250 million per year in lost worker productivity associated with hospitalization.