The continued high mortality (up to 70 %) in patients with necro tizing pancreatitis and diffuse peritonitis has led to the develop ment of various surgical strategies within the past few decades. Up to the present decisions about the management of these disea ses have been rather difficult because of the individual courses differ considerably, even being incomparable. Today, as a result of our in creased knowledge of the pathophysiology, the impro ved imaging procedures, and the standaridized intensive care, the rend is moving toward delayed surgical intervention. The goals in the surgical...