Intra-arterial vasopressin injection for the treatment of massive bleeding from the external carotid artery after craniofacial trauma--technical note.

Vasopressin (0.8-1.0 IU), diluted with saline (10 IU vasopressin per 100 ml saline), was selectively injected into the external carotid artery (ECA) to control massive hemorrhage caused by inaccessible serious craniofacial injuries in two patients. This method produced remarkable angiographic vasoconstriction at the involved ECA branches and resulted in immediate hemostasis. Intra-arterial vasopressin injection is a useful option for the treatment of intractable traumatic hemorrhage from inaccessible ECA branches.