[Halothane hepatitis in the differential diagnosis of postoperative jaundice]

Based on a case report the necessity of including halothane hepatitis in differential diagnosis of postoperative jaundice is described. Even in this case report, the diagnosis is a synopsis of the case history, clinical and biochemical findings and exclusion of other causes of disease. The detection of antibodies to halothane-altered hepatocyte components is at present only possible in a few special laboratories and does not succeed in all cases. Confirmation of the connection between halothane exposure and liver damage is of vital importance for the patient because a second exposure to halothane may result in fulminant hepatic failure. In choosing the appropriate anaesthetic method, other halothane anaesthesias carried out a short time ago should be considered.