The effects of surgical trauma on human granulopoiesis

Marked changes in the concentration and proliferative state of circulating granulocytic progenitor cells (colony forming units in culture; CFUc) were observed in female patients following surgical trauma. Within one day of an abdominal hysterectomy there was an abrupt fall in the number of blood CFUc to between 10% and 20% of normal and an increase in the proportion synthesizing DNA which coincided with the maximum neutrophilia. Subsequently, as the neutrophil count declined, the CFUc concentration increased to supranormal values and the proliferative response persisted, both parameters returning to normal 2 weeks after surgery. These results suggest that, following surgical trauma, the increased demand for neutrophils is rapidly met by increased CFUc proliferation.