Liver Function Tests After Halothane Anaesthesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Halothane anaesthesia is associated with Halothane hepatitis, first reported by Barton 1 in 1959. As Halothane is still extensively used in India and other developing countries, owing to its low cost, this study was conducted to compare liver function tests before and after Halothane anaesthesia. Results -Slight increase in serum bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, serum calcium and slight rise in eosinophil count was found in both groups post-operatively, which was statistically not significant except the rise in SGPT levels in immediate post-operative period which was significant in both groups. Conclusion -Halothane anaesthesia with 100% or 40 % oxygen in adults does produce a slight alteration in Liver function tests with no correlation with duration of anaesthesia and gender. However, there was significant rise in SGPT in immediate post-operative period.