Suppression of lymphocyte function after aortic reconstruction. Use of nonimmunosuppressive anesthesia

Serial estimations of lymphocyte responses to antigens and mitogens and in mixed lymphocyte culture in 13 major vascular surgical patients were carried out before and after operation, which was performed using anesthetic agents that have been shown not to depress lymphocyte function. All responses were significantly depressed up to five to eight days, and some up to nine to 11 days. Such depression, attributable to surgical trauma, may underline the vulnerability to infection of these patients who are having prostheses inserted.