[Electrostimulation anesthesia in comparison with enflurane-nitrous-oxide inhalation anesthesia during gynecologic...

This study describes the secretion of cortisol, growth hormone, prolactin and catecholamines before, under, and following gynaecological surgery in electrostimulation anaesthesia combined with nitrous oxide (ESA). The hormonal stress reactions of ESA were compared to inhalation anaesthesia with enflurane-nitrous oxide ( EFL ). Twenty-two patients undergoing laparotomy were allocated evenly to one of these procedures. In both groups serum levels for cortisol, growth hormone, and prolactin increased during surgery. Growth hormone showed a considerably higher increase during ESA at the end of the operation, whereas prolactin was higher at all periods of surgery during EFL . Cortisol, however, was identical for both groups. Renal excretion rates of adrenaline and noradrenaline were not significantly different. During surgery more metanephrine and normetanephrine were excreted in the urine under ESA than under EFL . There is no advantage with ESA intra- or postoperatively as compared to other routine procedures of anaesthesia for abdominal gynaecological surgery with regard to the so-called stress hormones or sympathetic activity.