Introduction : Prophylactic octreotide is known to decrease the rate of postoperative complication after pancreatic resection by diminishing exocrine function of the pancreas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of octreotide in decreasing exocrine excretion of pancreas.

Methods : We performed single-blind, controlled, randomized trial. Of 66 randomized patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy and pancreaticojejunal anastomosis for either malignant or benign tumor, 27 were allotted to receive octreotide; 29 served as controls. All PJ anastomosis was performed with external stent of negatively-pressured drainage and the amount of drained pancreatic juice through the external stent was measured until postoperative 7th day.

Results : Of 66 patients, 6 patients were excluded because of changing the operative procedures, 36 patients were analyzed. There were no difference between octreotide group (n=27) and control group (n=29), such as age, sex, body mass index, disease entity, biliary drainage, diameter of pancreatic duct, pancreatic texture, OP time, estimated blood loss, transfusion, complication and hospital stay. The days of first flatus, sips of water and soft diet were comparable in both groups. The amounts of pancreatic juice through the negatively drained system were shown to have no differences in both groups.

Conclusions : Our results suggest that prophylactic octreotide is not effective to inhibit the exocrine secretion of the pancreas. Furthermore, it did not show a significant decrease in the rate of postoperative complications.