[The influence of craniotomy on cytokines and immunological function].

The purpose of the study is to elucidate the effects of a craniotomy on patients regarding the cytokines and immunological function. TNF-alpha, IL-6, the CD4/8 ratio, cortisol, and WBC were all measured perioperatively in 29 patients. No serum TNF-alpha was detectable in any patients. The IL-6 level, cortisol and neutrophils all showed an increase with a peak at three hours after the end of operation. On the other hand, the lymphocytes and the CD4/8 ratio demonstrated a opposite pattern with a negative peak at the same time, however, these levels all gradually recovered to their preoperative states on the 7th operative day. The overall effect of a craniotomy was therefore found to correlate with the length of the operation.