A randomized controlled study of the effect of bedside leucocyte depletion on the immunosuppressive effect of whole blood transfusion in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery

In a randomized study the effect of whole blood transfusion versus bedside leucocyte-depleted blood transfusion on lymphocyte proliferation, CD4+:CD8+ ratio, and levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) and interleukin (IL) 6, as well as on the development of postoperative wound infection and intra-abdominal abscess, was assessed in 60 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Transfusion with whole blood induced a significant decrease in lymphocyte proliferation and CD4+ :CD8+ ratio (P < 0.01) as well as a significant increase in sIL-2R and IL-6 levels (P < 0.01). Furthermore, transfusion with whole blood was accompanied by a significant increase in postoperative infectious complications (P < 0.01). In patients transfused with leucocyte-depleted blood only slight and transient changes were observed, which were not significantly different from those observed in non-transfused patients.