Changes in liver enzyme values after halothane and enflurane for surgical anesthesia

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Hepatology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Halothane anesthesia has been linked to hepatitis for over a decade, though no direct cause or dose-response relationship has been established.
• Jaundice has also been observed following other anesthetic agents, indicating potential non-specific hepatic effects.
• Enflurane, a newer halogenated anesthetic, has a good safety profile, but rare cases of hepatitis have been reported.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of halothane and enflurane anesthesia on liver function.
• To investigate potential differences in hepatic serum enzyme levels and sulfobromophthalein (BSP) retention between the two anesthetic groups.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 24 patients undergoing surgical operations.
• 12 patients received halothane anesthesia, and 12 patients received enflurane anesthesia.
• Hepatic serum enzymes and sulfobromophthalein retention were measured in all patients.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in liver function tests were observed between the halothane and enflurane groups.
• Both anesthetic groups exhibited similar, minimal elevations in hepatic serum enzymes and BSP retention.
• Over half of the patients showed enzyme increases, but the specific reasons were not clearly identified.

Conclusions:

• The study found no significant difference in liver effects between halothane and enflurane anesthesia.
• Minimal hepatic changes observed are common in postoperative patients and do not establish a direct link to either anesthetic.
• The exact cause of postoperative hepatitis remains unknown, making prediction difficult regardless of the anesthetic used.