Prospective randomized trial of the effect of octreotide on pancreatic juice output after pancreaticoduodenectomy in relation to histological diagnosis, duct size and leakage

AbstractBackgroundOctreotide is generally administered based on the surgeon's interpretation of perceived risk for pancreatic fistula at the time of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).MethodsA single‐institution, prospective randomized trial was conducted between April 2009 and December 2011 involving 62 PD patients who were randomized to receive octreotide (100 μg subcutaneously every 8 h; n = 32) or placebo (n = 30). Pancreatic juice output was measured after the operation using a catheter inserted into the pancreatic duct. Postoperative complications were recorded.ResultsNo significant differences in median output were found between the octreotide (82.5 ml) and placebo (77.5 ml) groups (P = 0.538). Median total output was significantly lower in patients with adenocarcinoma compared with those with periampullary tumours (P = 0.004) and in patients with a duct diameter of >5 mm compared with those with a duct diameter of