[Hepatic injury and halogenated anesthetics: preliminary clinical experience]

The potential hepatotoxic activity of isoflurane, a volatile anesthetic agent recently introduced in Italy, has been investigated by the Authors in the present study. Hepatic markers blood level (GPT, gamma GT, alkaline phosphatase and albumin) have been checked preoperatively and at day 1 and 4 postoperatively in a group of 35 patients who underwent general anesthesia for plastic surgery operations by means of isoflurane. As control group 32 patients were tested, treated with general anesthesia for the same type of surgery by means of halotane. The Authors conclude that isoflurane, according to the data obtained from present study, cannot be, at the moment, considered hepatotoxic.