Effect of operation on B and T lymphocyte counts.

Preoperative and postoperative studies of peripheral B and T lymphocyte counts were accomplished in 21 patients. Diagnoses included 10 carcinoma of the breast, 3 sarcoma, and 8 benign diseases. On postoperative day one and two, an increase in B-cell percentage was observed in the majority of patients tested. However, there was a decrease in total lymphocyte count and fast-reacting T lymphocyte numbers on postoperative day one, especially in patients who had intraabdominal operations. All the lymphocyte counts returned to preoperative range within one week. Pertinent reports in the literature were reviewed and discussed.