The Effects of Low Flow and Normal Flow Desflurane Anesthesia on Liver and Renal Functions and Serum Cystatin C Levels in Geriatric Patients: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Introduction: Aging is a physiological process and the elderly population is increasing. In parallel to the increasing of the elderly population, the number of geriatric patients who required an invasive procedure or surgical intervention under anesthesia are also increasing. The geriatric patients who are frailty and have a loss of functional reserve in all organ systems are more sensitive to anesthetic agents. The purpose of this research was to investigate whether low flow desflurane anesthesia also affects hepatic and kidney functions, in elderly patients. Methods: After approval from the local ethics committee, the patients were divided into two groups; as the low flow desflurane anesthesia group and the normal flow desflurane anesthesia group using the closed-envelope method. Calibration and leakage tests of the anesthesia device (Primus, Drager) were performed before anesthesia. Heamodynamics parametres, peripheral oxygen saturation, and bispectral index monitoring were performed to all patients in operating room. The blood samples were collected before anesthesia induction, after surgery, and at the postoperative 24th hour. The serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were measured to assess the liver damage. The serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and cystatin C levels were measured to assess the kidney function. Results: The serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and cystatin C levels and hemodynamic parameters, peripheral oxygen saturation and bispectral index values were similar in both groups. Conclusions: It was concluded that low-flow desflurane anesthesia does not adversely affect liver and kidney functions in geriatric patients and is as safe as normal-flow desflurane anesthesia.