[Effect of neurosurgical interventions on serum levels of the essential trace elements zinc and copper--a perioperative study].

The serum-concentrations of the trace-elements zinc and copper were assessed before and after neurosurgical interventions in 60 patients. On the day of surgery the mean values of zinc and copper showed a significant decrease, but had reached their preoperative level one week later. While a influence of dexamethasone on the serum zinc levels could not be deducted, the serum copper concentrations seem to be influenced by dexamethasone. These changes seem to be connected with the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis during surgical stress.