[Changes in blood zinc and serum zinc distribution after surgical intervention]

It is well established that blood zinc concentrations fall postoperatively but documented data does not exist proving a direct relation between the fall in levels and the serious or otherwise nature of surgery performed. This relation was investigated in 25 patients, distributed into three groups as a function of severity of operation, by determining total serum zinc and also its distribution amongst vector proteins and amino acids. Findings indicated that minor procedures such as leg varicose vein stripping failed to affect blood zinc whereas major surgery (extracorporeal circulation) provoked a fall of 47% in blood zinc levels. In addition, this reduction affected only the exchangeable fraction (which is therefore the only one biologically active) of serum zinc. This suggests the need for zinc supplementation to assist healing and re-establish immunity phenomena after major surgery.