©Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. No commercial re-use. See Permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Gastrointest Surg. Feb 27, 2026; 18(2): 115417
Published online Feb 27, 2026. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i2.115417
Published online Feb 27, 2026. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i2.115417
Somatostatin and its analogs in the management of postoperative pancreatic fistulas: A comprehensive review
Lydia Lazaridou, Alexandra Dimaki, Kalliopi Vakalou, Grigorios Christodoulidis, Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa 41110, Thessalia, Greece
Vasilios Zervas, Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Athens “Evaggelismos”, Athens 10076, Greece
Panagiotis Papadopoulos, Department of General Surgery, Spitalverbund Appenzell Ausser
Konstantinos E Koumarelas, Department of General and Orthopaedic Surgery, Spitalverbund Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Herisau 9100, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Switzerland
Co-first authors: Lydia Lazaridou and Alexandra Dimaki.
Author contributions: Christodoulidis G designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript; Lazaridou L and Dimaki A contributed equally to this article and are the co-first authors of this manuscript; Lazaridou L, Dimaki A, Vakalou K, Zervas V, Papadopoulos P, Koumarelas KE and Christodoulidis G contributed to the discussion and design of the manuscript, contributed to the writing, editing the manuscript, and literature review; all authors thoroughly reviewed and endorsed the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Corresponding author: Grigorios Christodoulidis, MD, PhD, Doctor, Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Mezourlo, Larissa 41110, Thessalia, Greece.
Received: October 16, 2025
Revised: November 18, 2025
Accepted: December 17, 2025
Published online: February 27, 2026
Processing time: 133 Days and 11.4 Hours
Revised: November 18, 2025
Accepted: December 17, 2025
Published online: February 27, 2026
Processing time: 133 Days and 11.4 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains a major challenge in pancreatic surgery. Somatostatin and its analogs reduce exocrine secretion and have been widely evaluated for POPF prevention and management. Evidence from recent meta-analyses and randomized trials suggests that while these agents significantly lower POPF incidence, their effect on mortality is minimal. Current research focuses on patient risk stratification and long-acting depot formulations, such as preoperative lanreotide, to enhance compliance and cost-effectiveness. A tailored, risk-adjusted prophylaxis strategy may represent the future standard of care.