Use of a thymic factor in the prevention of postoperative infections

A controlled study was carried out on 60 patients undergoing laparotomy to assess the role of a thymic factor (TP-1 Serono) in the prevention of postoperative infections. All patients entering the study were preoperatively shown to be at risk of sepsis on the basis of the response to skin multitest system for assay of delayed hypersensitivity (Multitest C.M.I. System). The patients were also postoperatively monitored with the same system. The lower incidence of infections in patients treated with the thymic factor with respect to untreated patients (p less than 0.05) and the postoperative response to skin tests have confirmed the efficacy of the thymic factor under study in the prevention of postoperative infections.