Halothane and the liver: "firm ground" at last?

Inhibitory effect of gomisi on reductive metabolism of halothane

The effect of Gomisi (dried ripe fruit of schizandra chinensis) on chlorodifluoroethylene (CDE) and chlorotrifluoroethane (CTE) formation was investigated. The incubation mixtures for the measurement of reductive metabolites of halothane consisted of liver microsomal suspensions, 3 mM NADPH, extract solution of Gomisi and halothane in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The production of CDE and CTE was inhibited by Gomisi in a dose-dependent way. The production were reduced to half in the presence of 0.5% Gomisi extract in the reaction mixture. The results suggest that Gomisi can inhibit the reductive metabolism of halothane in vitro; thus it may protect against halothane-induced hepatitis.

Unexplained hepatitis following halothane: case report

A 50-year-old woman suffered severe jaundice following a second anaesthetic, two weeks after an anesthetic which had been followed by fever and malaise. An initial diagnosis of "probable halothane hepatitis" was made. This diagnosis is discussed, together with some implications.

Assessment of waste anaesthetic gas scavenging systems under simulated conditions of operation

A critical assessment of available waste anaesthetic gas scavenging devices was made by simulating the worst theatre conditions as well as ideal conditions. Only one of the scavenging devices tested proved to be unacceptable. However, the critical nature of suction flow rates was revealed and the ineffectiveness of air conditioning in the absence of adequate scavenging was highlighted.