Effect of Combined General/Epidural Anesthesia on Postoperative NK Cell Activity and Cytokine Response in Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Resection.

In both groups, the concentrations of IL-10, IL-6, and IL-10 increased at T2 and T3 when compared with T1, whereas IL-2 concentration and NK cell activity decreased at T2 and T3. Furthermore, the study group exhibited less suppression of NK cell activity, higher levels of IL-2 and IL-10, and lower levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the early stage after operation, compared with the control group. CONCLUSIOns: Combined general/epidural anesthesia seems to helpful to maintain the body's perioperative immune function compared to general anesthesia alone in patients with gastric cancer operation.