INDUCED HYPOTENSION FOR MAJOR SPINE SURGERIES, A COMPARISON BETWEEN HALOTHANE AND NITROGLYCERIN

BACKGROUND: Induced Hypotension as an adjunct to general anesthesia provides a relatively bloodless surgical field, facilitates surgical dissection, decreases operative time and diminishes the need for blood transfusion. AIM: We conducted a prospective randomized study to compare two commonly used drugs, inhalation agent Halothane and vasodilator Nitroglycerine for hypotensive anesthesia in patients undergoing major spine surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 40 adult patients were scheduled for double level lumbar or thoracic intervertebral fusion of spine in to two groups of 20 each, either receiving nitroglycerine or halothane to maintain a mean arterial pressure of 50-60 mmHg. The effectiveness was compared with respect to the systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and mean arterial pressure, bloodless surgical field as graded by the surgeon, blood loss and recovery. RESULTS: The results were analyzed statistically using the students 't' test and the 'p' value for the corresponding 't' values were derived. The operative field was clear and ideal with nitroglycerin and blood loss statistically significantly lower with lesser requirement for blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: Hypotension in the Nitroglycerine group was more effective, gradual and sustained in comparison to halothane group.