Around 20 per cent of patients with acute pancreatitis develop pancreatic or peripancreatic necrosis with or without peripancreatic collections. Sterile necrosis can generally be managed conservatively and the mortality rate is relatively low (12 per cent). Approximately 30 (range 14-62) per cent of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis, however, develop secondary infections of peripancreatic fluid collection which is associated with sepsis and organ failure and is an indication for intervention1.