VB
Vikas Bhardwaj
Medical Technologist, AIIMS New Delhi
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
**Core Concept**
The patient is undergoing Whipple's procedure, a major abdominal surgery, with deranged kidney function. The goal is to select an inhalational anesthetic agent that minimizes nephrotoxicity and supports renal function.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
In patients with pre-existing kidney dysfunction, volatile anesthetics like isoflurane and sevoflurane are preferred over desflurane due to their lower metabolism and subsequent production of nephrotoxic metabolites. Sevoflurane, in particular, undergoes less hepatic metabolism, resulting in lower inactivation and subsequent production of compound A, a potential nephrotoxin. This makes it an ideal choice for patients with deranged kidney function.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Isoflurane may not be the best choice due to its higher metabolism and production of nephrotoxic metabolites, although it's still a viable option.
* **Option B:** Desflurane is less metabolized than isoflurane, but its use is not ideal in patients with kidney dysfunction due to the potential for nephrotoxicity from its metabolites.
* **Option D:** Halothane is an older agent with a higher risk of hepatitis and nephrotoxicity, making it an unsuitable choice for patients with deranged kidney function.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In patients with kidney dysfunction, it's essential to choose an inhalational anesthetic with minimal metabolism and nephrotoxicity. Sevoflurane is a suitable choice due to its lower production of nephrotoxic metabolites, but careful monitoring of renal function is still necessary.
**Correct Answer:** C. Sevoflurane