Suppression of lymphocyte function after aortic reconstruction. Use of nonimmunosuppressive anesthesia
R. M. Keane, A. M. Munster, W. Birmingham, R. A. Winchurch, T. R. Gadacz and C. B. Ernst
Serial estimations of lymphocyte responses to antigens and mitogens and in
mixed lymphocyte culture in 13 major vascular surgical patients were
carried out before and after operation, which was performed using
anesthetic agents that have been shown not to depress lymphocyte function.
All responses were significantly depressed up to five to eight days, and
some up to nine to 11 days. Such depression, attributable to surgical
trauma, may underline the vulnerability to infection of these patients who
are having prostheses inserted.
