Abstract
Exacerbation of pre-existing liver disease after halothane anaesthesia has been reported in adult patients. A prospective study was performed in 38 children with biopsy-proven liver disease to assess the effect of surgery and halothane anaesthesia on liver function. Plasma liver enzyme levels were measured immediately pre-operatively and again four to eight days after surgery and halothane anaesthesia. Minor elevations of both AST and ALT occurred in four patients but this was not associated with a clinical deterioration in the patients’ postoperative recovery. In the children studied pre-existing liver disease did not predispose to a deterioration of liver function following surgery and halothane anaesthesia.
