Inhibition of pancreatic secretion to prevent postoperative complications following pancreatic resection.

Major pancreatic resection still nowadays carries a considerable risk for morbidity and even mortality. Complications occurring after pancreatic surgery are chiefly linked with exocrine pancreatic secretion. Therefore to inhibit exocrine pancreatic secretion perioperatively, seems to be a promising concept in the prevention of complications following pancreatic resection. The hormone somatostatin and its synthetic analogue octreotide have been demonstrated to inhibit exocrine pancreatic secretion profoundly, particularly the secretion of proteases is decreased. In a randomized placebo-controlled multicentric and double blind trial we analysed the role of octreotide in the prevention of postoperative complications after major pancreatic surgery. A significant reduction of complications (fistula, abscess, fluid collection, sepsis, pulmonary insufficiency, postoperative acute pancreatitis) could be demonstrated in patients receiving octreotide (3 x 100 micrograms per day sc.). The effect of octreotide was particularly true in patients undergoing a Whipple resection for cancer.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes