[Changes in cellular and humoral immunologic mechanisms in the postoperative period]

The study attempted to evaluate the effects of anesthesia and of surgical interventions on certain humoral and cellular components of the mechanism of specific immunity. A total of 64 patients suffering with benign and malignant affections of the stomach and of the colon that had underwent resections under general anesthesia of the hypnoanalgesia type were followed at three stages of their evolution--before surgery, at 24 hours after surgery, and 7 days after surgery. Blood samples were obtained for performing the following tests: count of lymphocytes, blastic transformations test, stimulated control (with PHA and PWM), rosetting test, total number of eosinophils, high affinity eosinophils, and other tests. Electrophoretic fractions, total serum proteins, and dosage of IgG, IgM, and IgA immunoglobulins were also measured. A total of 24 tests have been performed. The patients were investigated both globally and according to sex, type of affection (malignant, or other), and by age. The results indicated a depression of the majority of the results of tests excepting those which detect precursor B, and T-helper cells, which showed a stimulation. Differentiated behaviours were also noted in the various groups with regard to the intensity of the reaction, although not with its direction.