ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the T lymphocyte functions in elderly patients following major orthopedic operation. Methods From May 1998 to Feb 1999, 39 elderly patients (65 95 years old) hospitalized for orthopedic operation were studied. The patients' peripheral blood samples in the experimental group were obtained on days 1, 3, 7 and 14 postoperation, respectively. At the same days, blood samples were taken from 15 elder patients without trauma and operation (65 80 years old) within 6 months as controls. T lymphocyte subpopulations were differentiated by means of quantitative assay with autocounting method of FCM. Results CD3 T cell count was significantly decreased on day 1(54 4?11 3)% and day 14(58 5?12 6)%, compared with controls (63 9?8 3)% ( P