[Results of use of sandostatin in pancreatoduodenal resections]

From February 1995 to July 1996 pancreato-duodenal resection has been performed in 12 patients in RCS (7 men and 5 women, mean age 53.6 years). The operation was indicated in malignant tumors of the pancreatic head, big duodenal papilla, distal part of common bile tract (9 patients); benign diseases of pancreas (3 patients). Sandostatin (0.3 mg/day for 4-7 days) was used in all cases to prevent postoperative pancreatitis and pancreato-jejuno-anastomosis incompetence. The levels of alphfa-amylase, blood glucose, leucocytes were monitored, as well as the duration of pancreato-jejuno-anastomosis drainage use, rate and seriousness of postoperative complications and duration of in-patient treatment. The results were compared to a control group, consisting of 6 men and 6 women (mean age 53.8 years) with malignant tumours of big duodenal papilla, head of the pancreas, common bile tract. The use of Sandostatin has decreased the level of alphfa-amylase in the first postoperative day to 292.8 +/- 152.2 u/l vs. 594.9 +/- 368.79 in a control group (p > 0.05), duration of the drainage use: 6.1 +/- 1.5 days vs. 12.9 +/- 7.2 days (p < 0.05). The number and rate of severity of postoperative complications were significantly less: 58.3% vs. 100%. The frequency of pancreato-jejuno-anastomosis incompetence has decreased 3 times; the rate of abdominal cavity abscesses has decreased by 30%, the number of bile tract complications has decreased too (1 vs. 2). The rates of postoperative mortality were 8.3% in both groups. The use of Sandostatin made it possible to decrease the frequency and severity of postoperative complications and decrease the duration of in-patient treatment.