A Newly Devised Vasopressin Drip Protocol in the Management of Chronic Central Diabetes Insipidus During Facial Transplantation Surgery

ABSTRACT Objective: Titration of desmopressin can be challenging during complex, lengthy surgical procedures in patients with chronic central diabetes insipidus (DI). Arginine vasopressin (AVP) may be the preferred treatment modality in these settings. No data currently exist on the use of AVP during lengthy operations. Methods: We report a novel AVP infusion protocol for the management of chronic DI during a 27-hour total facial transplantation surgery. Results: A 21-year-old woman was admitted for a total facial transplantation surgery. Her medical history was significant for severe facial injuries and panhypopituitarism, both secondary to a ballistic trauma sustained 3 years prior. For the management of her chronic central DI during the complex surgery, a unique AVP infusion protocol was developed. Intraoperatively, the infusion was adjusted hourly following an internally developed algorithm with pre-specified goal parameters for urine output (50 to 200 mL/hour) and serum sodium levels (136 to 144 mmol/L; reference range: 136 to 144 mmol/L). The short half-life of AVP provided ease of dose titration. Under this protocol, the patient's hemodynamic values and serum sodium levels remained stable throughout the 27-hour transplantation surgery. Conclusion: We describe the successful use of a novel AVP infusion protocol for the management of DI during a 27-hour facial transplantation surgery. This protocol may also be effective in managing other patients with chronic central DI during lengthy intraoperative periods. Abbreviations: AVP = arginine vasopressin; DDAVP = 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin; DI = diabetes insipidus