Halothane Hepatitis in Three Pairs of Closely Related Women

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Abstract
AN association between administration of halothane for general anesthesia and postoperative hepatitis is generally believed to exist,1 , 2 although some disagreement continues.3 , 4 An unresolved feature of the assumed association is the mechanism by which halothane damages the liver. The most favored explanation is that halothane induces a hypersensitivity response in the liver.5 It has also been proposed that one or more of the metabolic products of halothane injures the organ6 or that hepatitis occurring after use of halothane is simply viral hepatitis,7 which post-halothane hepatitis resembles clinically and morphologically.We have observed post-halothane hepatitis in three pairs of closely related women . . .