A randomized controlled study of the effect of bedside leucocyte depletion on the immunosuppressive effect of whole blood transfusion in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery

Abstract

In a randomized study the effect of whole blood transfusion versus bedside leucocyte‐depleted blood transfusion on lymphocyte proliferation, CD4⁺: CD8⁺ratio, and levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL‐2R) and interleukin (IL) 6, as well as on the development of postoperative wound infection and intra‐abdominal abscess, was assessed in 60 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Transfusion with whole blood induced a significant decrease in lymphocyte proliferation and CD4⁺:CD8⁺ ratio (P< 0·01) as well as a significant increase in sIL‐2R and IL‐6 levels (P< 0·01). Furthermore, transfusion with whole blood was accompanied by a significant increase in postoperative infectious complications (P< 0·01). In patients transfused with leucocytedepleted blood only slight and transient changes were observed, which were not significantly different from those observed in non‐transfused patients.