【Abstract】Objective To investigate the role of early surgical intervention in the treatment of fulminant acute pancreatitis (FAP).Methods Eight cases of FAP admitted to our institution from September 2003 to December 2004 were reviewed retrospectively.Results Averagely 3 organs dysfunction was diagnosed on admission or in the course of treatment in this group. One patient treated non-operatively was dead. Of 7 cases with early surgical intervention, one was died of ACS and ARF, One female patient with 32 weeks pregnancy survived, but the fetus was dead before surgery. Five cases were complicated with intra-abscess, which were cured re-operatively. Conclusion Early operative intervention in the treatment of FAP could prevent MODS and improve the survival.