Plasma fibronectin in relation to surgical trauma

Plasma concentrations of fibronectin, alpha 2-macroglobulin and orosomucoid were monitored immunochemically in 20 patients before, during and after surgery. At 2 h after the induction of anaesthesia fibronectin concentrations were lowered 31 +/- 6% (SEM) compared to values obtained 1-3 d preoperatively. However, the fibronectin concentration decreased 17 +/- 5% (SEM) compared to preoperative values at the beginning of surgery. Most of the decline was thus not caused by the operative trauma. The perioperative changes in fibronectin concentrations did not differ from those found in alpha 2-macroglobulin and, up to 2 h postoperatively, orosomucoid.