Propofol-Induced Severe Necrotizing Pancreatitis

Propofol is a widely used sedative for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures. Drug-induced pancreatitis is a relatively rare disease possibly because of poor recognition. Propofol-induced pancreatitis is an extremely rare phenomenon. We present a 22-year-old healthy man who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with propofol as a sedative. Soon after, he developed acute upper gastrointestinal symptoms and was diagnosed with pancreatitis. His prolonged hospital course was complicated with necrotizing pancreatitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and other end-organ damages. We hope to increase awareness of a life-threatening adverse event of a commonly used anesthetic such as propofol.