Management of polyuria subsequent to pituitary surgery based on the diurnal pattern of urinary excretion

Polyuria subsequent to pituitary surgery was studied in 64 cases. Most cases of postoperative polyuria were due to diabetes insipidus. These cases showed a triphasic pattern in daily urinary volume. Observation of hourly urinary volume in polyuria revealed four diurnal patterns of urinary excretion: rhythmic, continuous, transient, and unspecific. Clinical observation of diurnal patterns has an advantage, in terms of simplicity of procedure, in immediately determining the nature of the polyuria, prognosticating diabetes insipidus, and eliminating inappropriate procedures in treatment. Indomethacin suppository is considered to be a favorable agent in reducing polyuria without disturbing the diurnal pattern in diabetes insipidus.