[Effects of sevoflurane anesthesia and surgery on plasma catecholamine levels]

Effects of sevoflurane-nitrous oxide-oxygen anesthesia and surgery on plasma levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine were evaluated in twenty four patients who ranged in ages from 15 to 65 years. They underwent non-abdominal surgery (orthopedic surgery) or abdominal surgery (gastrointestinal or gynecological surgery). Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane in 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen. Succinylcholine was administered intravenously to facilitate tracheal intubation and pancuronium was given intravenously during surgery. Lactated Ringer's solution at a speed of 5-15 ml.kg-1.h-1 was also administered intravenously throughout the procedures. Neither plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine nor dopamine levels changed significantly during the anesthetic induction with sevoflurane anesthesia. Plasma catecholamines were unchanged during and after surgery in patients who underwent non-abdominal surgery, while plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels increased significantly during and after abdominal surgery. Plasma dopamine levels, however, were unchanged during and after surgery in these patients. The findings suggest that epinephrine and norepinephrine secretion was significantly stimulated with abdominal intervention but not with orthopedic one under sevoflurane anesthesia.