Perioperative use of long-acting somatostatin analog (SMS 201-995) in patients with endocrine tumors of the gastroenteropancreatic axis

The clinical manifestations of hormone excess caused by functioning neuroendocrine tumors of the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) axis can be life threatening and frequently prove refractory to conventional antisecretory drugs. Administration of a long-acting somatostatin analog (SMS 201-995) proved effective in three patients with complex management problems related to GEP tumors. A patient with an insulinoma was maintained euglycemic intraoperatively with a single 100 micrograms dose of SMS given before surgery. Gastric suction in two patients with gastrinomas caused hypochlorhydric alkalosis that was preventable with preoperative SMS. Iatrogenic pancreatic fistula occurring after resection of a benign insulinoma healed within 4 days of SMS administration. This drug may be a useful adjunct in the perioperative management of patients with GEP endocrine tumors. Caution is advised regarding potential hazards related to malabsorption and gastric dysmotility.