title: The effect of surgical operation upon monocytes.
abstract: The effect of surgical operation upon monocyte numbers and function was studied in patients with both benign and malignant disease. In patients with benign disease a significant increase in the phagocytosis of 99Tc latex-labelled particles by monocytes was observed at 24 h postoperatively (P less than 0.01 compared with preoperatively) and also a significant increase in monocyte numbers (P less than 0.001 compared with preoperatively). In patients undergoing surgery for malignant disease no significant increase in phagocytic activity of monocytes was found postoperatively. A significant decrease in monocyte numbers was shown to follow surgery in this group (P less than 0.001). The implications of these findings are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D010587:Phagocytosis; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative