Effect of triglycyl-lysine-vasopressin on skin blood flow and blood loss during wound excision in patients with burns.

Excisional therapy often results in large-volume blood loss. Triglycyl-lysine-vasopressin selectively decreases dermal blood flow and therefore was tested for efficacy in limiting intraoperative blood loss in a series of patients undergoing excisional therapy. Ten patients with symmetric injuries were treated with intravenous triglycyl-lysine-vasopressin after excision of half of their burn wound. Blood loss, which was quantified by weighing sponges used to absorb shed blood, was significantly decreased after treatment. Triglycyl-lysine-vasopressin treatment was safe and effective and should be considered in cases when large-volume blood loss is expected.