comparison of clonidine versus esmolol in controlled hypotension in patients undergoing fess surgery

Background: fess has its share of complications which can be a challenge for both the surgeon as well the anesthetist and achieving a bloodless surgical field is essential so the principle of controlled hypotension can be used to combat this issue. methods: a hospital-based randomized comparative interventional study was conducted on 60 patients to compare clonidine (2mcg/kg in 10 ml of saline over 10 minutes before induction followed by an infusion of 1mcg/kg/hr during maintenance) and esmolol (1mg/kg in 10 ml of saline over 10 minutes before induction followed by an infusion of 1mg/kg/hr during maintenance) to assess and compare the hypotensive properties of both the drugs. results: after the induction of anesthesia, there was a significant difference in the mean heart rate, and mean arterial pressure between the two groups throughout the intraoperative period (p-value < 0.05). both groups achieved a target mean arterial pressure (map) of 65-70 mmhg and improved surgical field quality. conclusion: this study concluded that clonidine and esmolol both provide hemodynamic stability and a better surgical field in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (fess). clonidine also helps in achieving postoperative sedation and analgesia.