Effects of Anesthetic Agent Propofol on Postoperative Sex Hormone Levels

Abstract

Introduction: Several studies have found anesthetic agents including propofol in ovarian follicular fluid. However, little is known about the effect of anesthetic agents on ovarian function. We aimed to investigate whether there were differences in the postoperative levels of sex hormones when propofol was used as the anesthetic agent. Methods: A retrospective review was done of 80 patients who underwent ovarian surgery, with 72 infertile women serving as controls. Patients were included in the study if their serum estradiol (E2) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured during their first postoperative menstrual cycle. Results: Patients were grouped according to the use or non-use of propofol as follows: propofol group (n = 39) and non-propofol group (n = 41). The control group did not undergo surgery. Postoperative E2 levels did not differ between the three groups, but FSH levels were significantly higher in the patients who had undergone surgery compared to controls (p < 0.05). Post-hoc analysis of E2 and FSH levels in the propofol and non-propofol groups did not show any significant differences. Conclusions: The use of propofol did not result in any differences compared to other anesthetic agents in terms of postoperative sex hormone levels after gynecologic surgery. The type of anesthetic agent does not seem to affect the postoperative levels of female sex hormones.

Zusammenfassung

Einführung: Mehrere Studien haben verschiedene Anästhesiemittel, darunter auch Propofol, in der Follikelflüssigkeit des Ovars nachgewiesen. Bislang ist nur wenig über die Auswirkung von Anästhesiemittel auf die Ovarfunktion bekannt. Ziel dieser Studie war es, mögliche Veränderungen des Sexualhormonspiegels nach einer chirurgischen Intervention mit Propofol-Einsatz aufzuzeigen. Methoden: Die Daten von 80 Patientinnen, die sich einem chirurgischen Eingriff am Eierstock unterzogen hatten, wurden retrospektiv untersucht. 72 unfruchtbare Frauen dienten als Kontrollgruppe. Einschlusskriterium für die Studie war die postoperative Messung des Östradiolspiegels (E2) und des follikelstimulierenden Hormonspiegels im 1. Zyklus nach dem operativen Eingriff. Ergebnisse: Patientinnen wurden in 2 Gruppen unterteilt, gemäß des Einsatzes oder Nichteinsatzes von Propofol: Propofol-Gruppe (n = 39) und Nicht-Propofol-Gruppe (n = 41). Die Kontrollgruppe wurde nicht operiert. Der postoperative E2-Spiegel unterschied sich nicht zwischen den 3 Gruppen, aber der FSH-Spiegel war signifikant höher in der Gruppe der chirurgisch behandelten Patientinnen verglichen mit der Kontrollgruppe (p < 0,05). Eine Post-hoc-Analyse der E2- und FSH-Spiegel in der Propofol- und der Nicht-Propofol-Gruppe fand keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den beiden Gruppen. Schlussfolgerungen: Der Einsatz von Propofol hat keine Veränderungen des postoperativen Sexualhormonspiegels ausgelöst im Vergleich zu anderen Anästhesiemitteln. Die Wahl des Anästhesiemittels scheint keine Auswirkungen auf den weiblichen Sexualhormonspiegel nach einem chirurgischen Eingriff zu haben.

Key words

anesthesia - sex hormone - propofol

Schlüsselwörter

Anästhesie - Sexualhormon - Propofol

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