AIM:To clarify the effectiveness of plasma exchange bycomparing the mortality and morbidity before and afterthe intervention of plasma exchange.METHODS:Plasma exchange has been available as anoptional therapy for hyperlipidemic pancreatitis since August1999 in our hospital.The patients were assorted into 2 groups(group Ⅰ:before August 1999 and group Ⅱ:after August1999).Group Ⅰ consisted of 34 patients(before theavailability of plasma exchange).Group Ⅱ consisted of60 patients(after the availability of plasma exchange).Twenty patients in group Ⅱ received plasma exchange aftergiving their consent.The mortality and morbidity werecompared between group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ.Furthermore,the patients with severe hyperlipidemic pancreatitis(Ranson’s score≥3)were analyzed separately.Themortality and morbidity were also compared between thosereceiving plasma exchange(group A)and those who didnot receive plasma exchange(group B).RESULTS:There was no statistical difference in themortality,systemic and local complications between groupⅠ and group Ⅱ.When the patients with severe hyperlipidemicpancreatitis were analyzed separately,there was nostatistical difference between group A and group B.CONCLUSION:Plasma exchange can not ameliorate theoverall mortality or morbidity of hyperlipidemic pancreatitis.The time of plasma exchange might be the critical point.Ifpatients with hyperlipidemic pancreatitis can receive plasmaexchange as soon as possible,better result may be predicted.Further study with more cases is needed to clarify the roleof plasma exchange in the treatment of hyperlipidemicpancreatitis. AIM: To clarify the effectiveness of plasma exchange by comparing the mortality and morbidity before and afterthe intervention of plasma exchange. METHODS: Plasma exchange has been available as anoptional therapy for hyperlipidemic pancreatitis since August1999 in our hospital. The patients were assorted into 2 groups (group Group I consisted of 34 patients (before the availability of plasma exchange). Group II consisted of 60 patients (after the availability of plasma exchange). Two patients in group Ⅱ received plasma exchange aftergiving Their consent. The mortality and morbidity were compared between group I and group II. Future and the patients with severe hyperlipidemic pancreatitis (Ranson’s score> 3) were analyzed separately. Themortality and morbidity were also compared between thosereceiving plasma exchange (group A) and those who didnot receive plasma exchange (group B) .RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in themortality, systemic and local complications between group I and group II .When the patients with severe hyperlipidemic pancreatic disease were analyzed separately, there was nostatistical difference between group A and group B. CONCLUSION: Plasma exchange can not ameliorate theoverall mortality or morbidity of hyperlipidemic pancreatitis. time of plasma exchange might be the critical point.Ifpatients with hyperlipidemic pancreatitis can receive plasmaexchange as soon as possible, better result may may be predicted. Future study with more cases is needed to clarify the roleof plasma exchange in the treatment of hyperlipidemic pancreatic disease.