The authors give an account on the nutritional status of patients with chronic pancreatitis according to the Cambridge classification of ERCP changes grade II and III, treated conservatively and by surgery. From a perspectively followed up group of 30 patients with chronic obstructive pancreatitis before surgery 53.5 % suffered from malnutrition. Nine months after surgery the nutritional status improved in 9 of 16 patients, malnutrition persisted in 23.3 %. During a check-up examination 3 years after surgery and despite dietetic treatment and enzyme substitution 20 % patients suffered from malnutrition. In some of the patients low zinc and magnesium serum levels were found. In a group of 17 patients treated conservatively malnutrition was recorded in 41.2 % patients. After modification of dietetic treatment and enzyme substitution the nutritional status improved but during a check-up after 9 months 23.5 % patients remained malnourished. The authors analyze the causes of development of malnutrition and possibilities of its therapy.

        Key words: Chronic pancreatitis - Malnutrition - Conservative therapy - Surgical treatment - MCT oil - Zinc - Magnesium - Copper - Nutritional status - Dietetic treatment