Drug metabolizing ability in operating theatre personnel
Drug-metabolizing ability was determined in a group of anaesthetists and other operating theatre personnel. A slightly increased rate of plasma antipyrine clearance was observed in the subjects studied. The extent of the increase was considerably less than that brought about by hypnotic doses of barbiturates or by occupational exposure to insecticides. Therefore marked changes in the ability to metabolize drugs are unlikely in this group of subjects. However, if the aetiology of halothane hepatitis involves the formation of halothane metabolites, the risk may be increased by regular exposure to operating theatre contaminants. © 1974 John Sherratt and Son Ltd.