Conclusions
These results suggest that Filgrastim treatment reinforces innate immunity, enabling better prevention of infection. Thus, this unique combination of hematopoietic, anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious effects on the innate immune system warrants further study of clinical efficacy and sepsis prophylaxis.
Methods
Sixty patients undergoing elective surgery received either recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor/rh G-CSF (Filgrastim) or a placebo perioperatively. At several time points before and after the surgical intervention immunofunctional parameters were assessed.
Objective
To examine the effects of perioperative rhG-CSF administration on immune function in patients subjected to major surgery. Summary background data: Severe trauma, such as major surgery, initiates acute immunodysfunction which predisposes the patient towards infectious complications.