OXALOSIS IN RENAL TRANSPLANTS FOLLOWING METHOXYFLURANE ANAESTHESIA

SUMMARY Eight patients underwent allogeneic renal transplantation under methoxyflurane anaesthesia. All exhibited further impairment of renal function. Histological examination of the renal cortex of seven of these patients revealed precipitation of calcium oxalate crystals, these being the probable cause of the subsequent decrease in renal function. A transient polyuric phase was seen in one case in which autologous renal transplantation was carried out. When halothane, ether or cyclopropane was used for anaesthesia in renal transplantation, crystal formation was not seen. In ninety-four patients who underwent various types of general surgery no harmful renal effect which could be attributed to methoxyflurane was detected. Methoxyflurane is not a recommended anaesthetic agent for renal transplantation.