Effect of pectoral nerve block type II under general anesthesia on the immune function of patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND

To investigate whether the use of Pecs II block benefit patients with the respect to the immune functions.

METHODS

Totally 196 patients were included in this study. These patients were randomized to two groups, general anesthesia alone group (G group) and Pectoral nerve (Pecs) II block under general anesthesia group (PG group).

RESULTS

It was found that remifentanil consumption was less in PG group than it in G group. PG group showed a higher proportion of NK cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and an improved killing activity than G groups after surgery. We also found that postoperative interleukin (IL)-2 concentration in the plasma of PG group was dramatically higher than it of G group. Interestingly, there was even no significant change between preoperative and postoperative IL-2 levels in PG group, suggesting the less inhibitory effect of Pecs II block on immune system of those patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, these results indicate that Pecs II block use in patients may have an enhanced immunity compared with general anesthesia method.