[Functional disorders of the thymus-dependent immune system after surgery].
In patients, who underwent surgery for inguinal hernia, a profound suppression of T-lymphocyte functions was found as revealed by a new T-cell function assay. Conventional tests, such as PHA stimulation of lymphocytes and T/B-lymphocyte quantitation showed no changes after this rather minor operation. Thus it must be assumed, that aside from the short-lasting immunosuppression described in the literature after more extensive surgery, even smaller surgical procedures cause a rather long-lasting and severe impairment of T-lymphocyte functions. Since the immune system may play a possibly important role in the defence against autologous tumors, the indications for surgical treatment not concerning the tumor itself in malignoma patients should be severely considered.