Abstract

AbstractElevation of serum levels of liver enzymes has been shown afte surgical anesthesia with halothane, as well as following thermal burns. The relationship of electrical coagulation and other factors to these enzyme increases were investigated. Serum ornithine carbamoyl transferase (SOCT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and sulfobromophthalein retention were measured before and for seven day after operation in 20 men anesthetized with halothane for vagotomy and pyloroplasty. Hemostasis was done alternately by cautery or suture ligature. No difference in enzyme or bromsulphalein (BSP) increase followed either method. SOCT and SGPT increases were found to be biphasic. The early rise, associated only with abdominal operations, correlated with duration of operation and estimated uptake of halothane, whereas the late peak correlated with halothane uptake and body weight. Halothane and surgical trauma are implicated as causes of the minimal hepatotoxicity evidenced by enzyme increase in 75% of the patients studied.