[Electrolyte balance in major abdominal surgery. II. Observations under combined general and regional anaesthesia versus enflurane anaesthesia (author's transl)].

In 20 patients undergoing selective proximal vagotomy using a combination of methohexitone-nitrous oxide-pancuronium-anesthesia and intercostal block, and in 33 patients undergoing large abdominal surgical procedures under enflurane anesthesia, we found a mean decrease in serum potassium after the start of anesthesia of 0.25 mval/l which was maintained during the time of anaesthesia and operation. In spite of an unchanged potassium balance we noted a reduction in red cell potassium in both groups by about 7 mval/l. Serum sodium decreased by about 6 mval/l and base-excess by a mean of 2 mval/l. In both groups we found a nearly indentical and strong correlation between sodium infused and retained. In conclusion changes of serum potassium, serum sodium, base excess, red cell potassium and of sodium and potassium balance are typical of those occurring during large abdominal surgical procedures and the infusion regimen applied. They are, however, not influenced by the type of anaesthesia.