EFFECT OF EXOGENOUS SOMATOSTATIN ON THE EXOCRINE FUNCTION OF THE PANCREAS AFTER PANCREATICODUODENECTOMY IN MAN

In an effort to clarify the effect of exogenous somatostatin on pancre atic exocrine function following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), a long- acting somatostatin analogue (SMS201-995) was administered to seven pa tients who had undergone PD. From the 19th to 37th day following the o peration, 50 mu g of SMS201-995 was administered subcutaneously every twelve hours for two days (Day 2, Day 3). Pancreatic exocrine function was assessed by determining the volume of pancreatic juice during a f our day period. The total amount to pancreatic juice as well as its am ylase and lipase content were found to be significantly suppressed dur ing SMS201-995 administration compared with the values recorded on the days preceding and following this treatment. These results indicate t hat exocrine function after PD was suppressed by 100 mu g/day of SMS20 1-995, and recovered on the day after its discontinuation.