An intravenous (IV) bag support pole assembly for supporting at least one IV bag containing a surgical irrigation fluid is described. Said assembly comprises a portable cart, an IV bag support pole supported by said portable cart, having proximal and distal ends and including a plurality of segments telescopingly interfaced together, at least one IV bag hook coupled to said distal pole end for supporting the IV bag, a direct current motor having a rotatable shaft operable by an electrical portion, wherein said rotatable shaft is operatively connected to one of said segments for telescopically actuating said pole between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position, a motor control circuit electrically connected to said electrical portion of said motor for selectively providing motor power to said motor, and a slowdown circuit electrically connected to said electrical portion of said motor for periodically resisting rotation of said rotatable shaft when the motor power is unavailable, thus slowing retraction of said pole.
