Some metal ion changes in plasma and erythrocytes following ether anaesthesia and surgery in bilharzial patients

Eight bilharzial patients with hepatosplenomegaly who underwent splenectomy under ether anaesthesia were studied. The levels of iron, zinc, titanium, aluminium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus were determined in the plasmas and RBCs both preoperatively and up to four days postoperatively. Preoperatively the bilharzial patients were found to have subnormal levels of the studied elements except aluminium in plasma. The effect of ether anaesthesia and surgery (splenectomy) was marked on the second postoperative day. All the elements displayed a tendency towards reaching preoperative levels by the fourth day except titanium which was still elevated. Metal ions particularly zinc and magnesium should be monitored in bilharzial patients in general and in the advanced cases in particular, who are undergoing major surgery. This should be done as a precautionary measure especially since these patients have subnormal metal ion levels.