title: [Functional disorders of the thymus-dependent immune system after surgery].
abstract: In patients, who underwent surgery for inguinal hernia, a profound suppression of T-lymphocyte functions was found as revealed by a new T-cell function assay. Conventional tests, such as PHA stimulation of lymphocytes and T/B-lymphocyte quantitation showed no changes after this rather minor operation. Thus it must be assumed, that aside from the short-lasting immunosuppression described in the literature after more extensive surgery, even smaller surgical procedures cause a rather long-lasting and severe impairment of T-lymphocyte functions. Since the immune system may play a possibly important role in the defence against autologous tumors, the indications for surgical treatment not concerning the tumor itself in malignoma patients should be severely considered.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
vernacular_title: Funktionsstörungen des thymusabhängigen Immunsystems nach operativen Eingriffen. Mögliche Bedeutung für die Tumorchirurgie.