Octreotide versus pyloric exclusion in reducing gastrointestinal secretions entering the duodenum in a canine model

Pyloric exclusion is advocated in the treatment of duodenal injury. The beneficial effect is thought to be due to diversion of gastric secretions and resultant reduction of biliary and pancreatic secretions. The long-acting somatostatin analog, Octreotide, makes the inhibitory actions of somatostatin on gastric, biliary, and pancreatic secretions a potential alternative to pyloric exclusion. We compared the effect of pyloric exclusion to the effect of Octreotide on the volume of gastrointestinal secretions entering the duodenum by creating a duodenal fistula using a canine model. Five animals had modified Thomas cannulas placed in the duodenum. Two animals had staple closure of the pylorus with a gastrojejunostomy in addition to the cannula. Gastrointestinal secretions were measured in 2- or 3-hour collection periods performed every third or fourth day. Animals were administered saline or Octreotide (100 micrograms/hour) intravenously during each collection. Up to 9 hours of collections under both saline and Octreotide (18 hours total) were done on each dog. Octreotide alone reduces gastrointestinal secretions entering the duodenum more than pyloric exclusion alone. Pyloric exclusion and Octreotide together offered no additional reduction in gastrointestinal secretions entering the duodenum over Octreotide alone.