Experience with somatostatin analogue [octreotide] in gastrointestinal and pancreatic fistulae

Over a period of 2 years Somatostatin analogue [Octreotide] was administrated to 12 patients with enterocutaneous [EC] and 2 patients with pancreatic fistulae [PF] in a daily dose of 300ug/24 hr. There were 8 male and 6 female patients with an average age of 30.3 years [range 10-65 years]. In 9 patients with EC low output fistulae there was spontaneous closure and at least 50% reduction in 2 patients with high output fistulae which required further surgery. The two cases of pancreatic fistula also closed spontaneously in 5 to 8 days. Mean period for closure in 9 cases was 7.4 days [range 5-12 days]. There were fewer side effects and one death in high output fistula due to over whelming infection and septicemia. The results of this study favour the use of Octreotide in EC and pancreatic fistulae

Pancreatico-pleural fistula: successful treatment with octreotide.

A patient with chronic pancreatitis who presented with massive pleural effusion due to pancreatico-pleural fistula is reported. Treatment with octreotide for three weeks healed the fistula and resolved the pleural effusion.