Anesthesia and the immune system.

While the direct effects of anesthesia on immunological competence have not yet been fully elucidated, it is clear that the use of certain anesthetics and anesthetic procedures contributes to reduced immune function, as demonstrated by such clinical markers as increased infection and tumor growth. This review evaluates evidence of the participation of anesthesia in suppression or activation of the immune system, and discusses the implications of these changes to patient care and outcome.