[Anesthesia induction agents and granulocyte adherence].

The influence of clinically relevant concentrations of thiopentone sodium, methohexitone, and etomidate on polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocyte (PMN) adherence was investigated in vitro by using nylon fibre columns. The three induction agents produced dose-dependently a significant (p less than 0.01) reduction in adherence. This effect is possibly related to increased risk of postoperative bacterial infection. Further studies on this problem are recommended.