Genotoxic effects of anesthetic agents: an update

Introduction: Exposure to anesthetics in the health environment may entail a health risk for patients and operating room personnel. Knowing the effects of anesthetic agents on genetic material could be a valuable basic support for anesthesia care providers to improve treatment performance, increase patient safety and reduce the risks for patients and staff in the operating room. Areas covered: Relevant literature was identified using MEDLINE, CINAHL (R) and Cochrane Library databases. Over 200 abstracts for articles published from 1980 to 2010 were examined. Original articles were reviewed and relevant citations from these articles were also considered. Expert opinion: Despite some conflicting results, the current available data indicate that exposure to anesthetics, especially nitrous oxide and halogenated agents, is associated with general and genotoxic risks, whereas intravenous agents, such as propofol and its metabolites are not associated with genotoxic effects. Moreover, given that different anesthetic drugs are used in combination it is, thus, very difficult to understand whether the observed effects or absence of effects are due to an individual agent action or linked to a synergy action of different anesthetics involved. Further clinical and experimental evidence is warranted.