Postoperative Hepatic Necrosis

Abstract

HEPATIC necrosis in man was first associated with the administration of chloroform in 1895.¹ It has also been noted after exposure to carbon tetrachloride,^{2 , 3} trichloroethylene^{4 5 6 7} and tribromethanol.^{8 , 9} Since 1956 another halogenated anesthetic agent, halothane (2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane), has gained great popularity because of many desirable pharmacologic and physical properties.^{10 , 11} However, isolated cases of jaundice, and of deaths due to hepatic failure after the administration of this agent, have been reported.^{12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22} Once again the association between hepatic necrosis and the administration of a halogenated hydrocarbon has been noted. This study was initiated to determine the incidence of hepatic necrosis after the administration of . . .