Acute pancreatitis develops immediately after the causative impulse, while chronic pancreatitis develops after the long-term action of the noxious agent. A typical representative of acute pancreatitis is biliary pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis develops in alcoholism and has a long latency. As alcoholic pancreatitis is manifested at first as a rule by a potent attack, it is classified in this stage as acute pancreatitis. The most frequent etiological factors in our civilization are thus cholelithiasis and alcoholism (both account for 20-50 % in different studies). The assumed pathogenetic principles in acute biliary pancreatitis are the common canal of both efferent ducts above the obturated papilla, duodenopancreatic reflux and intrapancreatic hypertension. A detailed interpretation is however lacking. The pathogenesis of alcoholic pancreatitis is more complicated. Among others some part is played by changes in the calcium concentration and fusion of cellular membranes. Idiopathic pancreatitis occurs in up to 10 %, part of the are due to undiagnosed alcoholism and cholelithiasis. Other etiologies are exceptional. Similarly as in cholelithiasis pancreatitis develops also during other pathological processes in the area of the papilla of Vater such as dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi, ampulloma and juxtapapillary diverticulum, it is however usually mild. The incidence of postoperative pancreatitis is declining. Its lethality is 30 % and the diagnosis is difficult. In the pathogenesis changes of the ion concentration are involved, hypoxia and mechanical disorders of the integrity of the gland. Pancreatitis develops in association with other infections - frequently in mumps, rarely in hepatitis, tuberculosis, typhoid and mycoses. Viral pancreatitis is usually mild. In parasitoses pancreatitis develops due to a block of the papilla Vateri. In hyperparathyroidism chronic pancreatitis is more likely to develop, recent data are lacking. As to dyslipoproteinaemias, pancreatitis develops in the Ist, IVth and Vth type of Frederikson´s classification , in rare recessive disorders and other conditions such as hypothyroidism, renal insufficiency, oestrogen substitution and others. In pancreas divisum chronic pancreatitis is more likely to develop. In exotic countries tropical pancreatitis is most frequent. It is however similarly as alcoholic pancreatitis primarily chronic. A very serious course is usual in traumatic pancreatitis. Risk factors of pancreatitis after ERCP are in particular undilated biliary pathways, dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi and the use of a needle knife (bistoury). Medicamentous prevention is not substantiated. Drug induced pancreatic damage is much rarer than hepatotoxicity. Pancreatitis is caused most frequently by immunosuppressives, methyldopa, corticoids and oestrogens. The question remains to what extent the course of pancreatitis is influenced by its etiology. Biliary, alcoholic, traumatic and postoperative pancreatitis is usually severe, pancreatitis associated with viroses and induced by drugs is usually mild.

        Key words: Acute pancreatitis - Biliary pancreatitis - Alcoholic pancreatitis - Tropical pancreatitis - Drug induced pancreatitis - Traumatic pancreatitis - Postoperative pancreatitis - Idiopathic pancreatitis