Hepatitis following thiopentone. A case report

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Hepatology
• Clinical Toxicology

Background:

• Repeated anesthesia administration poses risks for adverse drug reactions.
• Distinguishing causative agents in post-anesthetic complications is crucial for patient safety.

Observation:

• A patient presented with pyrexia (fever) and jaundice following multiple anesthetic procedures.
• The patient had received both thiopentone and halothane during their treatments.

Findings:

• Evidence strongly suggests thiopentone was the primary agent responsible for the patient's pyrexia and jaundice.
• Halothane was initially suspected, but further analysis pointed towards thiopentone as the causative factor.

Implications:

• Clinicians should exercise caution when attributing jaundice and hepatitis solely to halothane in patients with a history of thiopentone exposure.
• This case underscores the need for thorough patient history and differential diagnosis in managing post-anesthetic liver dysfunction.
• Awareness of thiopentone's potential hepatotoxicity is vital for anesthesiologists and hepatologists.