[Post-operative hyperaldosteronism and related endocrine perturbations (author's transl)]

Electrolytes disturbances during operative period are believed to be related to an hyperaldosteronism produced by anaesthetic management and surgery. Effects of ethrane anaesthesia and surgery on hydroelectrolytic metabolism and endocrin function were investigated in 11 patients submitted to an abdominal surgery. Plasma and urinary levels of aldosterone were increased (x3) significantly (p less than or equal to 0.001) during operation, then decreased gradually in post-operative period, and return to normal values when Na/K ratio is reversed in urines. Relationship between hyperaldosteronism and other changes in endocrine function are established by determination of following hormones: A.C.T.H., cortisol, plasma renin activity (P.R.A.) catecholamines in plasma and urinary levels of 17-ceto, 17-hydroxysteroids and catecholamines. Ethrane anesthesia give a good neurovegetative stability since plasma catecholamines levels are not affected significatively. Plasma aldosterone level is correlated with urinary aldosterone and plasma renin activity. Plasma A.C.T.H. is much more increased at the operative time and decreases rapidly instead of plasma cortisol which decreases more slowly. Relationship of this hyperaldosteronism with anesthetic management, surgical stress intestinal transit disturbances, other endocrine function changes is discussed.