title: Propofol infusion anaesthesia and immune response in minor surgery.
abstract: This study was set up to evaluate the effects of propofol infusion anaesthesia on immunological function in minor surgery. Twenty-seven patients (median age 51 years, ASA 1-2) scheduled for minor breast surgery were randomly assigned to two groups. Anaesthesia was induced in group 1 with propofol 2.5 mg.kg-1 and maintained with propofol 12 mg.kg-1 x h-1 and 30% O2 in air, whereas in group 2 anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone 4 mg.kg-1 and maintained with 70% N2O in O2. Fentanyl and vecuronium were used in both groups. The percentages of T cells (p < 0.001), B cells (p < 0.01) and memory T cells increased (p < 0.01) in both groups. T helper cell percentages increased in the propofol but not in the thiopentone group (p < 0.05). The percentages of natural killer cells decreased from pre-induction values in both groups (p < 0.001). No changes were seen in lymphocyte proliferative responses. Minor breast surgery under propofol or conventional combined anaesthesia had only minor effects on the immune response. The higher percentage of T helper cells after propofol anaesthesia compared to conventional combined anaesthesia is beneficial, but its clinical importance remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Turku University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Pirttikangas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perttilä
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salo
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vainio
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liukko-Sipi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D001940:Breast / Q000601:surgery; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013511:Minor Surgical Procedures; D008934:Mitogens / Q000276:immunology; D015742:Propofol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D008934:Mitogens; D015742:Propofol