[Immunosuppression caused by surgery and severe trauma].

The present prospective study was performed to describe physiological immunosuppressive effects dependent on minor surgical interventions and an immunodeficiency syndrome after major surgery and severe trauma. Parameters of cellular and humoral immunity were monitored in 64 patients of the Department of Surgery of the University Hospital Zurich preoperatively and on days 1, 2, 3 and 4 after selective surgery or polytrauma. 22 patients were multiply traumatized (mean ISS 34.7 +/- 13), 14 patients underwent Y-grafting of the abdominal aorta, 11 resection of colorectal carcinoma, 8 cholecystectomy and 9 inguinal herniotomy. There could be seen a decrease of parameters of cellular immunity (absolute lymphocyte count, CD-4-/CD-8-cell-ratio and release of IL2-receptors), a decrease of humoral defense (immunoglobulins and complement factors) and an increase of macrophage activation (serum levels of neopterin).