Halothane and Ether Anesthesia in Gallbladder and Bile Duct Surgery: A Retrospective Study into Mortality and Hepatobiliary Complications

LEVEN CASES of fatal acute liver neE crosis following the administration of halothane, including three involving operations on the biliary system, had been reported by April 1963.'-' Since halothane was being used widely at the Mayo Clinic 35,709 patients had received t h i s nonexplosive inhalational agent by January 1,1963-it seemed desirable to carry out a retrospective study of our experience with halothane in biliary tract surgery and to compare the results with those noted with another inhalational agent. Special attention was directed toward hepatobiliary complications following operation.