[Dynamics of the immune status of patients with postoperative peritonitis during treatment by the open method]

The values of cellular and humoral immunity were studied in 53 patients with postoperative peritonitis during open treatment and after closure of the abdominal cavity. Analysis of the results showed that postoperative peritonitis is attended by marked depression of cellular and humoral immunity, and by suppression of functional activity of mononuclear phagocytes. When the open method is applied in conjunction with specific combined and nonspecific immunotherapy restoration of cellular immunity begins on the 5th-7th day after relaparotomy and restoration of humoral immunity on the 3rd-4th day. In successful treatment the immune status is normalized on the 8th-10th day. In unfavourable outcomes depression of cellular and humoral immunity increases continuously and death occurs.