Leucocyte mobilization and function in vitro of blood and exudative leucocytes after inguinal herniotomy

Abstract

Abstract The effect of surgical trauma on leucocyte mobilization in vivo and the function of blood and exudative leucocytes was studied in 15 patients after inguinal herniotomy. Mobilization of leucocytes to skin windows with chambers was reduced 48h after anaesthesia (P < 0·01) compared with 21 healthy volunteers. Blood leucocyte chemotaxis was reduced during the period of anaesthesia (P < 0·05). Serum independent phagocytosis was increased from 24h after anaesthesia (P < 0·01) but without a corresponding increase in the serum dependent phagocytosis. The oxidative metabolic activity of resting leucocytes in terms of Nitro Blue Tetrazolium (NBT) reduction decreased 24–48h after anaesthesia without any change in NBT reduction during phagocytosis. In contrast, exudative leucocytes exhibited reduced phagocytosis independent of serum factors (P < 0·5) and increased NBT reduction by resting leucocytes. It is concluded that a diminished accumulation of leucocytes at inflammatory lesions occurs postoperatively and that changes in the function of circulating leucocytes do not always reflect the changes in function of the exudative leucocyte.