Deterioration in lung function after general anaesthesia in patients with cystic fibrosis.

48 hours after oesophagoscopy and injection sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices under general anaesthesia, 11 studies of 6 children with cystic fibrosis and portal hypertension showed a significant deterioration in 4 tests of lung function. The largest falls were seen in Forced Expiration Volume in one second (p less than 0.01) and Forced Expiratory Flow between 25% and 75% of Vital Capacity (p less than 0.02). In 14 studies of 10 children with portal hypertension from other causes a significant fall occurred only in Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (p less than 0.01). The slight falls in Forced Expiratory Volume in one second and Forced Expiratory Flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity were significantly smaller than those observed in the patients with cystic fibrosis (p less than 0.05; p less than 0.01).