A role of anesthesiologist in reducing surgical bleeding in endoscopic sinus surgery

Darius Činčikas¹, Juozas Ivaškevičius¹, Jonas Laimutis Martinkėnas², Svajūnas Balseris²

¹Clinic of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Vilnius University, ²Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat Diseases, Vilnius University Emergency Hospital, Lithuania

Key words: anesthesia; functional endoscopic sinus surgery; intraoperative bleeding; induced hypotension.

Summary. Visibility in the surgical field reduced by bleeding is one of the most important problems of endoscopic sinus surgery. It causes the risk of serious complications and reduces intervention quality. Recently, an increasing number of patients undergo surgical interventions under general anesthesia. Since general anesthesia may influence surgical bleeding in physiological and pharmacological pathways, the role of an anesthesiologist is extremely important in reducing bleeding. The impact of different anesthesia methods on quality of the surgical field is being investigated, and the most effective medicines are being sought.

Correspondence to D. Činčikas, Clinic of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Vilnius University, Šiltnamių 29, 04130 Vilnius, Lithuania. E-mail: dariuscincikas@yahoo.com

Received 6 January 2009, accepted 5 November 2010