• Dan Drobin and Robert G Hahn.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Stockholm South Hospital, S-118 83, Stockholm, Sweden.
• J Anesth. 1995 Sep 1; 9 (3): 235.

AbstractThe present study shows that leukocytosis occurs from fluid loading and from the small amounts of adrenaline given epidurally. Five healthy volunteers received an intravenous infusion of 25 ml·kg-1 b.w. of Ringer's acetate solution over 15, 30, 45, and 80 min, and epidural anesthesia (EDA) was induced in 25 urology patients using mepivacaine 2% with or without adrenaline 1∶200 000. In the volunteers, we found that the total leukocyte count increased by up to 33% within 1 h after rapid volume loading. This increase was accounted for by neutrophils and lymphocytes. In the patients, the leukocyte count increased by 32% during the onset of EDA when mepivacaine with adrenaline was used. This increase was accounted for by lymphocytes. Our results suggest that caution is needed when interpreting the importance of a raised leukocyte count in samples taken in association with fluid loading and also when EDA is induced by a local anesthestic solution that contains adrenaline.

5 keywords...

hide…