The effect of surgical operation upon monocyte numbers and function was studied in patients with both benign and malignant disease. In patients with benign disease a significant increase in the phagocytosis of 99Tc latex-labelled particles by monocytes was observed at 24 h postoperatively (P less than 0.01 compared with preoperatively) and also a significant increase in monocyte numbers (P less than 0.001 compared with preoperatively). In patients undergoing surgery for malignant disease no significant increase in phagocytic activity of monocytes was found postoperatively. A significant decrease in monocyte numbers was shown to follow surgery in this group (P less than 0.001). The implications of these findings are discussed.
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Everson et al. (1981) studied this question.
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