In recent studies, propofol infusion anaesthesia increased the percentage of T-helper cells in surgical patients undergoing minor or major surgery. Propofol emulsion also caused alteration in Th-I/Th-2 1-lymphocyte subpopulations in vitro In the present study, we investigated whether propofol infusion compared against conventional
balanced anaesthesia can alter Th-1/Th-2 balance as judged by IFN-y and
IL-4 production in vivo. Twenty four adult patients undergoing knee arthroscopy (median age 22 years, ASA I, 2) were randomly allocated to receive propofol infusion or conventional balanced anaesthesia. The following were measured pre-operatively, at the end of anaesthesia and 24 hours after the end of anaesthesia : leucocytic count, mononuclear and
1-helper cells percentage |
