[Cell-mediated immunity in the preoperative evaluation of hip prosthesis surgery]

The risk of post-operative infection after hip surgery is related to the general condition of the patient - chronic disease, age, persisting infection. An attempt to quantify this risk was made by using the Multi-test I.M.C. to determine the state of cellular - mediated immunity in 60 patients before operation. No instance of infection was found in 28 normally reactive patients. Five infections were noted in 29 anergic patients. Three anergic infected cases were cured by treatment, the test having become normal. It is concluded that skin tests are a simple method of determining the post-operative risk of infection. The pre-operative treatment of anergic patients is discussed.