Objective To retrospectively analyze and compare conservative versus surgical treatment of patients with fulminant acute pancreatitis (FAP) plus abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Methods From January 1998 to September 2005, 21 patients with FAP plus ACS were retrospectively analyzed. Ten patients were conservatively treated by means of intensive care medicine without surgery, and 11 patients received open surgical management and suction drainage. Results Seven of the 10 non-surgical patients died, comprising one with mild, four with moderate and two with severe ACS (70% mortality rate). Of the 11 patients receiving open surgical management in the early phase (within 3 days of disease initiation), three died, comprising one with moderate and two with severe ACS (27.3% mortality rate). The difference in mortality rates was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion Our data indicate patients suffering FAP with severe ACS should be treated with open management of the abdomen in the early phase (within 3 days), even in the absence of infection. This approach appears superior to that of conservative management. Surgical treatment resulted in abdominal decompression and subsequently significantly decreased the mortality rate and improved overall prognosis.