[Comparison of the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on changes in leukocyte-count induced by surgical stress].

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It is well known that surgical stress causes granulocytosis and lymphopenia. However, effects of general anesthetics on changes in leukocyte-count induced by surgical stress are not still clear. METHODS: One hundred and sixteen patients undergoing elective surgery with general anesthesia were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were classified into two groups according to anesthetic agents used for maintenance of general anesthesia; sevoflurane group (n = 69) and propofol group (n = 47). Changes in leukocyte-count during surgery were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In sevoflurane group, lymphocyte-count increased in the early period during surgery, but decreased later. However, lymphocyte-count continued to increase during surgery in propofol group. We found a significant difference in lymphocyte-count during surgery between sevoflurane group and propofol group. On the contrary, granulocyte- and monocyte-count increased during surgery in both groups. There were no significant differences in granulocyte- and monocyte-count during surgery between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in effects of sevoflurane and propofol on changes in lymphocyte-count induced by surgical stress. Results of this study imply the efficiency of propofol to prevent lymphopenia, which may play an important role in postoperative immunosuppression caused by surgical stress.