Comparing the Effect of Clonidine and Dexmedetomidine on Intraoperative Bleeding in Spine Surgery

BACKGROUND: Discopathy is one of the most common spinal surgeries. Hemodynamic control is important in bleeding reduction during the surgery. Clonidine and dexmedetomidine both are α(2) agonists that help stabilize hemodynamics and prevent the increase of intraoperative bleeding. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the effects of clonidine and dexmedetomidine were compared in bleeding reduction during spinal surgery. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 120 patients aged 20 to 50 years with ASA class I or II, undergoing spinal surgery. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. Group C received oral clonidine 0.2 mg, 90 minutes before entering the room. Group D received dexmedetomidine 0.5 µ/kg 15 minutes before anesthesia induction and 0.25 µ/kg/h infusion during operation. Group P received placebo as the control group. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss in patients who received clonidine (289 ± 130) and dexmedetomidine (344 ± 145) compared to the control group (462 ± 15) (P < 0.05), with a more dramatic reduction in the clonidine group (P < 0. 001).