Effects of althesin anaesthesia and surgery on carbohydrate and fat metabolism in man.

The effects of Althesin anaesthesia alone, and associated with surgery, on carbohydrate and fet metabolism were studied in 36 patients by determining the plasma concentrations of cortisol, human growth hormone, insulin, free fatty acids, and blood sugar. The differences between the mean blood sugar and plasma cortisol concentrations before induction and during anaesthesia alone were not statistically significant. Blood sugar concentrations increased slightly during minor surgery and increased significantly during body surface and abdominal surgery. The plasma cortisol concentrations increased slightly during minor and body surface surgery but increased significantly during abdominal surgery. Plasma insulin and human growth hormone concentrations did not change appreciably during anesthesia and surgery. During Althesin anaesthesia alone and during minor surgery, a significant increase in plasma FFA concentration was observed at 15 min. The hyperglycaemia response in diabetic patients did not differ significantly from that in nondiabetic subjects. The clinical significance of the results is discussed.