[Somatostatin. A review].

This review is a presentation of the various effects of somatostatin within the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. Attention is focused on the analgesic effect of somatostatin, which can be induced by intrathecal or intraventricular, or by epidural administration. Chronic, morphine-responsive pain in terminal cancer patients or acute postoperative pain can be effectively treated by spinal administration of somatostatin. Intraoperative application of somatostatin saves on using anesthetics. However, further investigations are necessary to determine the limitations of spinal administration of somatostatin.