Concepts, Application, and Efficacy of Hypotensive Anesthesia in Maxillofacial and Orthognathic Surgeries: Review of Literature

One of the main complications of the orthognatic surgeries of mandible and maxilla is the intraoperative bleeding due to the high blood supply of the region. Severe bleeding increases the possibility of need for blood transfusion. Transfusion increases the risk of transmitting blood-borne diseases and blood mismatch reactions. In order to decrease the incidence of blood transfusion and its complications, various techniques has been used to reduce the amount of bleeding during orthognatic surgeries. One of the most commonly used and effective methods is hypotensive anesthesia. The aim of the present paper was to review the advantages and disadvantages of hypotensive anesthesia and various protocols used to achieve it.