[Somatostatin in gastroenterological therapy].

Somatostatin (SST) has been shown by several controlled studies to be effective in halting acute severe bleeding from ulcerative and erosive lesions of the upper intestinal tract. Its efficacy for the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices is less certain, and more controlled studies are necessary. Intravenous administration of SST or subcutaneous application of the new synthetic SST-analogues produces a decrease in serum hormone levels and abolition of symptoms in patients with endocrine-active tumors such as vipoma, glucagonoma and carcinoid. SST has no effect on the outcome of acute pancreatitis, and experience with SST in treating intestinal fistulas is very limited.