Efficacy of somatostatin and its analogues in prevention of postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of somatostatin and its analogues in prevention of postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Methods: A literature search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was used to identify randomized controlled trials that compared somatostatin and its analogues with control group after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Meta-analytical techniques were applied to identify differences in outcomes between the 2 groups. Results: A total of 8 studies were identified according to our inclusion criteria, including 2 studies using somatostatin, 5 studies using octreotide, and 1 study using vapreotide. The use of somatostatin or its analogues did not significantly benefit for reducing the incidence of pancreatic fistula (odds ratio [OR] 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-1.37; P = 0.73), total pancreas-specific postoperative complications (OR 95% CI, 0.63-1.42; P = 0.79), delayed gastric emptying (OR 95% CI, 0.50-1.78; P = 0.86), total complication (OR 95% CI, 0.73-1.70; P = 0.61), mortality (OR 95% CI, 0.59-7.72; P = 0.97), and length of postoperative hospital stay (weighted mean difference 95% CI, -7.74 to 4.47; P = 0.60). Conclusions: The use of somatostatin and its analogues does not significantly reduce postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy.