Enzyme treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in chronic pancreatitis.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency combined with pancreatic pain and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency are the leading symptoms of chronic pancreatitis. Due to the large functional reserve capacity of the gland, decompensation, i.e. steatorrhea, does not occur before lipase excretion is reduced to < or = 10% of normal. Pancreatic enzyme substitution is indicated when fecal fat excretion exceeds a critical value (normally > 15 g/day) and/or when weight loss is present. A number of studies have dealt with the problems of gastric acid inactivation of pancreatic enzyme preparations as well as their gastric emptying nonsimultaneously with the food. For the present, it is recommended that pancreatic enzyme substitution in patients with proven exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and normal gastric acid secretion be given in multiunit, acid-protected dosages. In patients with gastric hyposecretion and in those who underwent partial or total gastrectomy, enzyme substitution should be administered as granules to enable mixing and simultaneous transport of enzymes with the chyme. The ultimate aim of further scientific and clinical research remains the total abolishment of pancreatic steatorrhea.