Somatostatin and octreotide in the prevention of postoperative pancreatic complications and the treatment of enterocutaneous pancreatic fistulas: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate, through systematic review, the effectiveness of somatostatin and octreotide in the prevention of postoperative pancreatic complications and the treatment of established enterocutaneous pancreatic fistulas. METHODS: Electronic databases, including Medline and EMBASE, were searched systematically by using keywords including 'somatostatin', 'octreotide', 'fistula' and 'randomiz(s)ed controlled trial'. In addition, citations of relevant primary and review articles were examined. Particular authors were contacted when necessary. Data on patient recruitment, intervention and outcome were extracted from the included trials and analysed. RESULTS: Use of somatostatin or octreotide for the prevention of postpancreatectomy complications, including pancreatic fistulas, was identified in 14 randomized controlled trials, including one abstract and one conference proceeding, involving a total of 1686 patients. Use of somatostatin or octreotide for the treatment of established enterocutaneous pancreatic fistulas was identified in ten trials involving a total of 301 patients. Significant heterogeneity was found among the identified trials with regard to the definition of fistula, dosage of octreotide, starting time and duration of the treatment, among other factors. CONCLUSION: There was major disagreement between the studies on whether use of the drugs in question is of value in preventing postoperative complications. This analysis suggests that, in units where the postoperative fistula rate following pancreaticoduodenectomy for neoplasia and other pancreatic conditions exceeds 10 per cent, somatostatin or octreotide administered before operation may significantly reduce the rate of major postoperative complications, particularly pancreatic fistulas. The identified evidence also suggests that there may be a limited role for such drugs in the treatment of established postoperative enterocutaneous pancreatic fistulas. A major conclusion is that further clarification of the roles of these drugs is still required through large, high-quality, randomized trials.