[Enflurane anaesthesia and plasma cortisol (author's transl)]

The influence of enflurane on adrenocortical function was investigated by determining the concentration of plasma cortisol by a radioimmunoassay during general anaesthesia and abdominal operations. Thirty minutes after the start of anaesthesia with enflurane 0.8--2.0%, N2O:O2 (2:1) and pancuronium, the plasma cortisol decreased slightly in the preoperative period; it increased markedly and continuously during the intra- and postoperative period. There was no correlation between plasma concentrations of enflurane, determined by gas chromatography, and cortisol.