Anaesthesia, surgery and renal function. Immediate and delayed effects

Abstract

The major effects of anesthesia and surgery on renal function and body fluid relocation have been assued to be due to indirect circulatory and neuroendocrine responses. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that anesthetic agents also have direct effects on renal function, as exemplified by the delayed toxicity seen following methoxyflurane anesthesia. This review discusses the combined effects of anesthesia and surgery upon renal function and fluid electrolyte homeostasis in normal man. Mention is also made of renal effects of drug interactions which may occur between anesthetics and therapeutic agents such as enzyme inducing drugs and antibiotics. 113 References are cited.