Abstract

This dissertation shows the measurments of neutrophil's activity in patients undergoing general and spinal anaesthesia. The studied group consisted of 35 patients, being in I and II ASA risk schedule, therefore the difference between patients were attribured exclusively to the type of anaesthesia. The chemiluminescence (CL) of neutrophils in response to latex beads, opsonized bacteria (S. aureus) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was evaluated. The increase of neutrophil count was noted in the group undergoing general anaesthesia, however their response to above stimuli was unchanged. In contrast in the group undergoing spinal anaesthesia the blood neutrophil count was stabile, but their response to opsonized bacteria was significantly increased when measured day after surgery. This increase correlated to the increase expression of FcRIII (CD16). Based on the above mentioned data it is suggested that the increase of CD16 expression (end resulting increase of CL to opsonised bacteria) is prevented by general anaesthesia which cuts transmission of nocyceptive signals.

Keywords: chemiluminescence, CD16 marker, spinal anaesthesia, general anaesthesia, Neutrophils