TRAUMATIC PANCREATITIS - METHOD AND EFFECTS OF IV FLUIDS AND SANDOSTATIN

Somatostatin and its analogs are used clinically to treat patients wit h pancreatitis. To evaluate the effects of iv Sandostatin (SNST) on ra ts with trauma-induced acute pancreatitis, 130 male Sprague-Dawley rat s (300-350 g) underwent celiotomy, controlled direct pancreas contusio n, and central iv line insertion under ip sodium pentobarbital anesthe sia. The rats were divided randomly into control (IA, IIA, and IIIA) a nd SNST-treated (IB, IIB, and IIIB) groups. The basic infusion solutio n contained 4.8% glucose, vitamins, and electrolytes. For groups IA an d IB, the infusion rate was 24 ml/kg/day, while it was 240 ml/kg/day f or groups IIA, IIB, IIIA, and IIIB. SNST administration was 6 mu g/kg/ hr iv for groups IB and IIB during the first postoperative day, while group IIIB received 6 mu g/kg/hr iv for 4 days. Surviving rats were eu thanized after 4 days. All survivors and nonsurvivors were autopsied. In all groups, severity of pancreatitis, fat necrosis, and ascites wer e greater in the nonsurvivors (P < 0.005 in each case). Mortality rate s were consistently lower in the SNST groups: IA (76%) vs IB (52%), II A (71%) vs IIB (50%), and IIIA (63%) vs IIIB (50%). Because individual group mortality rates were not affected by volume of infusate given o r length of time SNST was administered, the results of all control and all SNST rats were combined; there was a statistically significant lo wer mortality in the SNST-treated rats (51 vs 71%, P < 0.04). Conclusi on: Intravenous administration of Sandostatin to rats following induct ion of severe acute traumatic pancreatitis significantly ameliorates t he course Of the disease. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.