[New trends in the treatment of exocrine pancreas deficiency]

Economic function of the exocrine pancreas is based on non-parallel synthesis, transport and secretion of pancreatic enzymes during basal state and postprandially. Reserve capacity of acinar cells is also augmented by adaptation to the diet as well as by regeneration. In mild pancreatic insufficiency complex dietetic considerations help to maintain the necessary secretory capacity of the pancreas. In severe cases effective substitution therapy is mandatory and increasing lipase survival by dietetic maneuvers, by optimizing trypsin and chymotrypsin levels as well as acid and bile secretion can significantly ameliorate results of replacement therapy of steatorrhea. However, in painful chronic pancreatitis high protease activities seem to be beneficial. Individual replacement therapy with pancreatin preparations adapted to the requirements of the patient has to be chosen in difficult cases.