Abstract
In a previous study of the potential mutagenic action of isoflurane using the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test in lymphocytes of surgical patients, it appeared that SCE increased in a group of 11 cigarette smokers, there being no effect in patients who were non-smokers. In the present study, 63 cigarette smokers were examined by the SCE test before and after minor orthopaedic operations undertaken under halothane or isoflurane anaesthesia, or subarachnoid analgesia. No significant changes of SCE were observed, and the risk of having missed a "true" increase of more than 0.6 SCE per cell was less than 1%. It was concluded that, in cigarette smokers, SCE in lymphocytes were unchanged after both general anaesthesia and subarachnoid analgesia, and that there was no indication from the SCE test of a mutagenic action of halothane, or isofurane, in nitrous oxide.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
