[The effect of low-dose prostaglandin E1 on intra- and post-operative renal function].

We investigated the effects of low-dose prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on intra- and post-operative renal function in 109 adult patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery. Anesthesia was maintained with a combination of thoracic epidural combined with inhalational anesthesia. Sixty-seven patients received PGE1 at a rate of 0.2 microgram.kg-1.min-1 throughout surgery. Forty-two patients, who did not receive PGE1, served as control. Pre- and post-operative renal function was evaluated with serum levels of BUN and creatinine (Cr), while intra-operative renal function was evaluated mainly with urine output and urine flow rate during anesthesia. Urinary Na excretion and creatinine clearance (Ccr) were determined during surgery in limited cases. Urine output and urine flow rate during anesthesia were greater in PGE1 group than in control group, whereas infusion volumes and infusion rates were not different between the groups. In PGE1 group, urine flow rate was greater during surgery than before surgery, while in control group, it was unchanged. Na excretion during anesthesia was also greater in PGE1 group than in control group. In control group, Na excretion and Ccr were smaller during surgery than before surgery, while in PGE1 group, they were unchanged. Postoperative serum BUN and creatinine levels were not different between the groups. Decreased Na excretion and decreased Ccr in control group indicated that renal function was depressed during surgery, whereas unchanged Ccr, unchanged Na excretion and increased urine flow rate in PGE1 group indicated that renal function was well-maintained during surgery with PGE1. Low-dose PGE1 thus prevented depression of renal function during surgical anesthesia.