Use of N-acetylcysteine for postnecrosectomy peripancreatic collections in a patient with severe, acute pancreatitis.

the management of various medical conditions such as chronic bronchitis and acetaminophen poisoning, and in tracheostomy care. We report its use as a mucolytic agent in the treatment of peripancreatic collections after necrosectomy for acute pancreatitis, and its effect on patient recovery. van Waes and colleagues in 1983 demonstrated the efficacy of NAC in breaking down the viscosity of drain secretions and increasing resolution of intra-abdominal abscesses without systemic side effects. No other reports on this application of NAC have been published since then.