[Changes in the immunologic status related to the duration of the anesthesia/surgery procedure].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of the trauma of anesthesia and surgery, and their duration, on immune status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing cholecystectomy were studied in 2 groups. In group A surgery was of short duration ( 60 min). Immunological analysis were performed at 5 times: t0 (before surgery), t1 (1 h), t2 (24 h), t3 (4 days) and t4 (7 days). RESULTS: Group A patients experienced a non significant decrease in T lymphocytes, activated T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes, with levels returning to normal after 7 days. T-suppression, on the other hand, decreased significantly in the first 24 h, but gradually returned to normal after 7 days. T lymphocytes, activated T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes decreased in group B and regressed after 7 days. The population of B lymphocytes decreased significantly and had not fully recovered 7 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The act of anesthesia/surgery depresses immune response in function of duration, with the effect being greater when surgery lasts longer.