title: Anesthesia and the immune system.
abstract: While the direct effects of anesthesia on immunological competence have not yet been fully elucidated, it is clear that the use of certain anesthetics and anesthetic procedures contributes to reduced immune function, as demonstrated by such clinical markers as increased infection and tumor growth. This review evaluates evidence of the participation of anesthesia in suppression or activation of the immune system, and discusses the implications of these changes to patient care and outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, University of Basel/Kantonsspital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology; D006221:Halothane / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007121:Immunocompetence; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics; D010952:Plasma Substitutes; D006221:Halothane