[Comparison of remifetanil with halothane as the anesthesia maintenance method regarding endoscopic sinus surgery conditions]

ABSTRACT

Endoscopic surgery is a new standard method of treatment for chronic sinusitis. During this operation even small amount of bleeding may reduce the visual field of surgeon significantly and make the procedure troublesome. In this study we compared the operative conditions between patients who receive either remifentanil or halothane for general anesthesia. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in 60 patients. Pre- medication was done by fentanil and midazolam and induction was done by propofol and atracurium. The patients were divided into two groups and received either halothane or remifentanil for anesthesia maintenance. Monitoring was performed during anesthesia. Bleeding volume was measured and operation field condition was assessed by the surgeon. Patients' characteristics such as age and gender were the same in both groups. Intra- operative systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the remifentanil group but diastolic and mean blood pressure and heart rate didn't change after induction and during maintenance in either group. Recovery time in the remifentanil group was also significantly shorter than the halothane group. Bleeding volume was also lower and the operation field condition was better in the remifentanil group. Remifentanil is a good choice to maintain an ideal anesthesia for endoscopic sinus surgery