Traumatic pancreatitis: method and effects of i.v. fluids and Sandostatin

Somatostatin and its analogs are used clinically to treat patients with pancreatitis. To evaluate the effects of i.v. Sandostatin (SNST) on rats with trauma-induced acute pancreatitis, 130 male Sprague-Dawley rats (300-350 g) underwent celiotomy, controlled direct pancreas contusion, and central i.v. line insertion under ip sodium pentobarbital anesthesia. The rats were divided randomly into control (IA, IIA, and IIIA) and SNST-treated (IB, IIB, and IIIB) groups. The basic infusion solution contained 4.8% glucose, vitamins, and electrolytes. For groups IA and IB, the infusion rate was 24 ml/kg/day, while it was 240 ml/kg/day for groups IIA, IIB, IIIA, and IIIB. SNST administration was 6 micrograms/kg/hr i.v. for groups IB and IIB during the first postoperative day, while group IIIB received 6 micrograms/kg/hr i.v. for 4 days. Surviving rats were euthanized after 4 days. All survivors and nonsurvivors were autopsied. In all groups, severity of pancreatitis, fat necrosis, and ascites were greater in the nonsurvivors (P < 0.005 in each case). Mortality rates were consistently lower in the SNST groups: IA (76%) vs IB (52%), IIA (71%) vs IIB (50%), and IIIA (63%) vs IIIB (50%). Because individual group mortality rates were not affected by volume of infusate given or length of time SNST was administered, the results of all control and all SNST rats were combined; there was a statistically significant lower mortality in the SNST-treated rats (51 vs 71%, P < 0.04).

Intravenous administration of Sandostatin to rats following induction of severe acute traumatic pancreatitis significantly ameliorates the course of the disease.