Fig 6.26 The proposed mechanism of pancreatitis due to prolonged chylomicronaemia. Pancreatic lipase hydrolyses chylomicron triglycerides and phospholipids (lecithin) to free fatty acids and lysolecithin, respectively. Both of the latter can cause chemical pancreatitis. Pancreatitis leads to the liberation of additional lipase, which leads to more free fatty acids and Iysolecithin and so the cycle continues.