Anaesthesist. 1976 May; 25(5): 246-47.

[Observations on the course of leucocytes in cardiac surgery under acupuncture-analgesia (author's transl)]

Lackner J, Lackner F, Semsroth M.

In 11 cardiosurgical patients leucocyte and differential counts were made performed during and after surgery. In some cases Lymphocyte transformation and migration inhibitiontest was studied. Comparing cases under conventional neurolept anaesthesia with those who had acupuncture Analgesia (electrostimulation) it appeared that the number of leucocytes was rising significantly higher in the latter, although the total number of lymphocytes remained constant. In lymphocyte transformation and mirgration inhibitiontest the observed decrease seemed to be less pronounced. Because a trial applying acupuncture in healthy persons resulted in no change in the number of leucocytes, it is suggested that the surgical trauma and related catecholamine release might be of importance. No definite result could be obtained.