The effect of oral clonidine pre-medication prior to anesthesia on bleeding during tympanoplasty

Intraoperative bleeding is one of the most important complications of surgery. Different techniques and methods have been used to decline this problem. In this study, the effect of oral preanesthetic clonidine on producing a bloodless surgical area was examined on patients undergoing tympanoplasty. A randomized, triple blind clinical trial was carried out 88 patients candidates for tympanoplasty. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. 44 patients received oral clonidine 300 µgr, 90min before arriving at the operating room, and 44 patients received placebo. The method of anesthesia was similar in both groups. Interaoperating bleeding assessed on a four –point scale from 3 (abundant bleeding) to 0 (no bleeding). Moreover, surgeon’s satisfaction in the field of surgery and the homodynamic changes were assessed and recorded in data collecting sheets. There were no statistically significant differences regarding gender and age between two groups. The homodynamic changes in the group that had received clonidine were fewer in comparison with those in the control group. In addition, the bleeding amount in the group receiving clonidine was 54.6 times less than in the control group, and the surgeon,s satisfaction in the clonidine group was 54.6 times more than that in the control group. The statistical analysis using independent sample t test showed significant difference between these two groups. Oral clonidine as a premeditation reduces bleeding in tympanopalsty and improves surgeon’s satisfaction.