ROLE OF SOMATOSTATIN AND OCTREOTIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF PANCREATIC PSEUDOCYST, FISTULA AND ASCITES

Somatostatin and its analogue (SMS 201-995, octreotide) have proven to effectively inhibit various gastrointestinal functions including exocrine and neuroendocrine secretion, motility and splanchnic blood flow. The long half-life and the ability to administer the analogue subcutaneously has liberalized its use in different intestinal and extraintestinal disorders. In particular, the profound inhibitory effects on exocrine pancreatic function have prompted the use of SMS in several pancreatic disorders. Despite the lack of controlled studies, somatostatin has been used in different pancreatic disorders, fistulas, pseudocysts and ascites. The preliminary evidence supports a definite role of this analogue as adjunctive and primary therapeutic agents.