| Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in elderly patients. By analyzing the treatment process of a 93-year-old male patient, we aim to evaluate the application effect of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment in SAP.
Methods: Patient Shen was admitted to the hospital due to right upper abdominal pain for 5 hours after eating. He was diagnosed with SAP with extensive peri-pancreatic exudation by Western medicine standards. In TCM, he was diagnosed with "pancreatic abscess" (liver-gallbladder damp-heat syndrome). Due to economic reasons, the patient and his family declined comprehensive Western medical treatment and agreed only to take TCM home. He was prescribed modified Sini San, Yinchenhao Tang, and Xinjia Huanglong Tang to clear heat, promote defecation, resolve dampness, regulate qi flow, nourish yin, and tonify qi. The TCM decoction was administered orally once daily.
Results: After taking the medication, the patient''s symptoms gradually improved. After the initial three doses, he passed yellow, pasty stools in large quantities, his abdominal pain slightly eased, and he was able to consume small amounts of liquid food, although nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever persisted. Following two more doses, his abdominal pain significantly alleviated, and he no longer experienced nausea, vomiting, or fever. After another two doses, the patient was free of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever, and essentially returned to normal.
Conclusion: This case illustrates that TCM can achieve good therapeutic effects in the treatment of SAP in elderly patients, provided that syndrome differentiation is accurate and medication is appropriately prescribed. TCM treatment played a significant role in alleviating the patient''s symptoms and promoting recovery, offering an effective treatment option for elderly patients with severe acute pancreatitis. |
