The use of a somatostatin analog in the treatment of an external pancreatic fistula.

A search of the scientific literature reveals several reports of the successful use of somatostatin and its analog octreotide for treatment of external pancreatic fistulas. Both somatostatin and octreotide have been reported to promote closure of external pancreatic fistulas at relatively shorter intervals than spontaneous closure. However, the benefits of somatostatin and somatostatin analog therapy appear to be limited to cases without other pathologic or anatomic complications. A case is presented of an external pancreatic fistula in which there was no such apparent complication and in which octreotide failed to shorten the time of fistula closure.