The relationship between levels of neutrophil-related factors and the degree of surgical stress

To find a method for estimating the degree of surgical stress, 53 patients were divided into 3 groups according to operation time (group I, greater th an or equal to 5 h or more; group II, 1-4 h; and group III, <1 h) and measu rement of neutrophil-related factors was performed. The postoperative level s of chemiluminescence (CL) generated by neutrophils (5.5 x 10(8) cpm) in g roup I was significantly higher than that in group II (2.1 x 10(8) cpm). Th e postoperative levels of CL in whole blood (5.7, 2.9, 1.0 x 10(6) cpm for groups I, II and III, respectively) and plasma lactoferrin levels (Lf) (653 , 305 143 ng/ml) were highest in group I and lowest in group III. The serum iron (Fe) level (24, 32, 58 mu g/dl for groups I, II, III) was highest in group III and lowest in group I. In conclusion, whole blood CL, neutrophil CL, Lf and Fe levels after surgery can be useful indicators of the degree o f surgical stress.