Anesthesia in Renal Transplantation: Observations at 142 Anesthetics in 50 Patients

Abstract

Observations made on anesthesia of 50 patients undergoing 56 kidney transplantations and 86 other abdominal operations are reported. Although the patients were free of diseases other than uremia, a variety of disturbances were seen; these included anemia, electrolyte alterations, and functional disorders of the circulatory and respiratory systems. These disturbances raised problems at anesthesia and during the postoperative period. In most instances a barbiturate and succinyl choline were used for induction, and nitrous oxide and d-tubocurare for maintenance of the anesthesia. Unpredictable changes of the potassium level in blood deserve special attention in these patients.