British Journal of Anaesthesia, 1973, Vol. 45, No. 4 353-357
© 1973 The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia
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RENAL FUNCTION FOLLOWING METHOXYFLURANE ANAESTHESIA
The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children Belfast BT12 6BE
Significant reductions in body weight and increases in plasma uric acid and urea concentrations occurred in the postoperative period in normal children who had inhaled 0.5% methoxyflurane for 60 minutes. In the absence of features such as polyuria, plasma hyperosmolality, hypernatraemia and elevated creatinine levels definite evidence of renal dysfunction is lacking. Also, raised concentrations of plasma uric acid and urea, although less pronounced than with methoxyflurane, were noted following the administration of halothane, an agent which is not prone to induce renal disorder. It is suggested that the present findings resulted from increased metabolism, possibly due to diminished calorie intake. Irrespective of the cause, the changes reported may warrant a reappraisal of the position of methoxyflurane in clinical practice.