Methods	Methods of randomisation and allocation concealment were not described
Participants	80 patients scheduled for elective total hip replacement (THR) surgery for primary coxarthrosis were randomly allocated to one of two groups Desmopressin (DDAVP) group: n = 39; M/F = 20/19; mean age (+/−SD) = 71(9) years. Placebo group: n = 40; M/F = 15/25; mean age (+/−SD) = 68 (7) years. NB: One patient was excluded from the study.
Interventions	DDAVP group received 0.3 ug/kg of DDAVP diluted in 50 ml of sodium chloride and infused intravenously over 15 minutes, immediately after the induction of spinal anaesthesia. Six hours after the first dose a second infusion was administered in an identical fashion. Placebo group received normal saline alone.
Outcomes	Amount of allogeneic blood transfused (units) Blood loss (ml) Angina pectoris (n) Pulmonary embolus (n) Use of ephidrine (n) Laboratory/biochemistry
Notes	Quality assessment score (Schulz criteria): 3/7 Transfusion protocol used. Heterologous erythrocyte concentrate combined with 3% dextran 60 in a 1:1 ratio was transfused to correct the erythrocyte volume fraction (EVF) >27%
Risk of bias
Item	Authors’ judgement	Description
Adequate sequence generation?	Unclear	Method of randomisation was not described.
Allocation concealment?	Unclear	B - Unclear
Blinding? All outcomes	Yes	Double blind.