Post-Halothane Jaundice in Relation to Previous Administration of Halothane

EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines: Drug-induced liver injury

“…231 Importantly, rechallenge of a patient who showed initial liver injury caused by a drug has traditionally been regarded as a dangerous practice with potentially serious consequences, as it sometimes leads to rapid, worse liver injury or even fulminant liver failure. 274 Deliberate re-exposure to a non-essential drug is hardly justified in DILI, and unintentional rechallenge is more commonly described. Anti-TBC drugs have been largely considered as examples of essential non-replaceable medications and repeatedly tried for rechallenge.…”

Changes in Liver Function After Different Types of Surgery

“…Several reviews have appeared which by their title suggest a relationship between anaesthesia and liver function (Dykes, 1970;Editorial, 1972). There is evidence connecting liver dysfunction with halothane (Sherlock, 1971;Reed and Williams, 1972) and particularly with a second administration a few weeks after the first (Mushin, Rosen and Jones, 1971;Inman and Mushin, 1974;Wright et al, 1975). On the other hand, there have been many studies which do not support this connection, or which suggest the alternative possibility of viral hepatitis as a possible cause (National Halothane Study, 1966;Walton et al, 1972;Simpson, Strunin and Walton, 1973).…”

Anaesthesia for Cathetron Treatment of Carcinoma of the Uterus

“…Halothane possesses the advantage of a readily controllable level of light anaesthesia and rapid recovery with a low rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Against this must be weighed the small but significant risk of hepatitis following multiple exposures to halothane within a short time (Mushin, Rosen and Jones, 1971). However, it is felt that this risk is acceptable in circumstances where the use of halothane is required to provide conditions which cannot be produced by other means for this essential treatment.…”