Effect of Low-flow Sevoflurane Anaesthesia on Renal Functions in Patients Undergoing Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Sevoflurane is a commonly used inhalational anaesthetic agent in India. However, there is limited information on the effect of low-flow sevoflurane anaesthesia on renal function in Indian patients undergoing major surgeries. Aim: To assess the effect of low-flow sevoflurane anaesthesia on renal parameters in adult patients undergoing elective surgery for more than two hours. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, single centre, retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesia, Fortis Hospital, Delhi, India (November 2016 to May 2017). Change in serum creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) values from baseline to postsurgery and number of patients experiencing postoperative glucosuria and proteinuria were recorded. Categorical data are presented using numbers and percentages whereas continuous data are summarised using mean and standard deviation. Statistical difference in the preoperative values of serum creatinine and BUN was evaluated using paired t-test and p-value less than 0.5 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study included 100 patients (44% males and 56% females) with mean age of 41.3±12.59 years. Mean duration of surgery was 163.3±51.78 minutes. There was no clinically significant difference in the vital parameters after surgery. Serum creatinine (0.77 vs 0.76 mg/dL; p=0.2415) and BUN (11.79 vs 12.26 mg/dL; p=0.2624) did not change significantly after surgery. None of the patients developed proteinuria or glucosuria. There was no report of change in the dose or anaesthetic drug due to intolerance or adverse event caused by sevoflurane. Conclusion: Low-flow sevoflurane can be safely administered as an anaesthetic agent in elective surgeries among Indian adult patients with normal renal functions.

Keywords

• elective surgical procedure
• inhalation anaesthetic
• renal safety