Treatment of pancreatic ascites and external pancreatic fistulas with a long-acting somatostatin analogue (Sandostatin).

Prior to the advent of somatostatin conservative therapy for pancreatic fistulas, treatment included intravenous nutritional therapy with nothing per mouth and therapeutic agents to diminish pancreatic secretions. None of these modalities were uniformly successful. A prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of a long-acting somatostatin analogue (Sandostatin) was carried out. 18 patients-10 with pancreatic ascites and 8 with external pancreatic fistulas-were treated. The ascites resolved in 9 of 10 patients in a mean period of 22 days (+/- 3 days). The external fistulas were all high output fistulas and resolved in 7 of 8 patients. Mean period for closure was 23 days. There were no side effects associated with Sandostatin. Sandostatin has made a major impact on the conservative treatment of pancreatic ascites and is an important adjunct to the management of external pancreatic fistulas. It is emphasised however that surgery may be required for the underlying pancreatic disease. In this regard close surveillance of these patients is necessary.