[Modification of granulocyte chemotaxis during anesthesia for surgery].

The PMNs of fourteen patients undergoing general anesthesia for surgical operations were examined to determine whether abnormal chemotaxis occurs during these procedures. Neutrophil chemotaxis was determined immediately before anesthesia and after the anesthetic somministration. Anesthetic agents included 0.2-1% enflurane, 0.3-1% halothane or N20-02 (60:40). Neutrophil chemotaxis was reduced an average of 10.9% by fluorinated anesthetics, no significant modification (+8.1 +/- 13.0%) was detected by N20-02.