[Inflammatory cells in bronchial lavage fluid after general anesthesia and artificial respiration]

Bronchial lavage was performed immediately after intubation and artificial respiration (sample A) and one hour later (sample B) in 26 patients who underwent general anesthesia for elective surgery, but were otherwise normal. The number of cells recovered in sample B was significantly greater than that in sample A (5.64 +/- 4.62 x 10(6) vs 1.42 +/- 0.99 x 10(6). This difference was greater in smokers than in nonsmokers. There was also a significantly greater proportion of granulocytes in sample B compared to sample A. The results were similar after inhalation or after intravenous anesthesia. There were dynamic changes in quality as well as quantity of inflammatory cells in the lower respiratory tract following intubation and artificial respiration.