Differences in lymphocyte mitogenic stimulation pattern depending on anaesthesia and operative trauma: I....

Cell-mediated immunity (investigated by in vitro mitogen/antigen induced lymphocyte proliferation) is known to be depressed in the post-operative period. In the present investigation, performed with halothane/nitrous oxide inhalational anaesthesia in healthy patients without trauma (eye surgery) and with operative tissue trauma (gynaecological operations), only the combination of major surgery with halothane/nitrous oxide anaesthesia was associated with a depression of lymphocyte reactivity to phytohaemagglutin (PHA-P), Concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM). This lasted for 3-10 days post-operatively.