Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver
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Volatile anaesthetic drug-induced liver injury can range from asymptomatic alanine transaminase elevations to fatal hepatic necrosis. There is very limited research regarding hepatotoxicity of modern volatile anaesthetic agents. The aim of this study was to determine how common liver injury consistent with volatile anaesthetic hepatitis is, following exposure to isoflurane, desflurane and sevoflurane; and to propose risk factors for its development. ⋯ Volatile anaesthetic drug-induced liver injury in adult trauma patients may be significantly more common than previously noted. This study suggests that about a quarter of patients with volatile anaesthetic drug-induced liver injury develop significant liver injury. Further prospective studies are required to define risk factors and clinical outcomes.