Granulocyte microbicidal function in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery under balanced anaesthesia

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Surgical Science

Background:

• Granulocytes play a crucial role in the innate immune system's ability to combat microbial infections.
• Assessing immune function post-surgery is vital for understanding patient recovery and infection risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of major abdominal surgery on the microbicidal functions of granulocytes.
• To evaluate granulocyte phagocytosis and oxidative burst responses in surgical patients.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assay to measure granulocyte function.
• Studied granulocyte responses to zymosan, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli.
• Assessed responses to N-formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine (FMLP) stimulation.

Main Results:

• Granulocyte phagocytic activity against tested microbes remained unaffected by major abdominal surgery.
• Neutrophil responses to N-formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine (FMLP) were preserved post-surgery.
• A significant increase in the percentage of high-peroxidase-activity neutrophils was observed on postoperative days 1 and 3-4.

Conclusions:

• Microbicidal-related oxidative phagocytic functions of granulocytes appear to be well-maintained following major abdominal surgery.
• Balanced anesthesia may contribute to the preservation of granulocyte immune functions during the perioperative period.