[Effect of somatostatin on human sphincter of Oddi motility]

The effect of somatostatin on the sphincter of Oddi was investigated in 20 subjects referred for endoscopic sphincter of Oddi manometry. Six patients had common bile duct dilatation, three had common bile duct slight dilatation, three had hepatic hilar carcinoma and eight had normal findings on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. A triple-lumen low compliance system was used to record the sphincter of Oddi basal pressure, phasic contraction frequency, amplitude, duration, and direction of wave propagation before and after intravenous administration of somatostatin in a dose of 250 micrograms. After a mean latency period of 1 min, there were significant changes including decreased basal pressure (P < 0.01) and decreased frequency of wave contraction (P < 0.01). The amplitude and duration of wave contraction and wave propagation sequence were not significantly influenced. Thus somatostatin has a significant inhibitory effect on the sphincter of Oddi activity, which may be helpful for biliary and pancreatic flow.