PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF LIVER-ENZYME AND OTHER CHANGES FOLLOWING REPEAT ADMINISTRATION OF HALOTHANE AND ENFLURANE

A prospective- study of liver enzymes and other measurements following repeat administrations of halothane or enflurane was carried out in patients undergoing minor urological operations. The patient populations were similar with respect to frequency of factors which might influence liver function, social habits, drug therapy and time intervals between administrations. Sixty-three received two or more administrations of halothane and 66 received two or more administrations of enflurane, both drugs given with nitrous oxide in oxygen. There was a greater frequency of increased enzymatic activity following repeat administrations of halothane than following enflurane and the average alanine aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase concentrations were increased to a greater degree following halothane than enflurane. There was no change in the eosinophil count and no significant postoperative morbidity. Changes in alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydro-genase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase occurred more frequently in obese patients receiving halothane. © 1979 Macmillan Journals Ltd.