Influence of hip arthroplasty upon chemotactic behaviour of leucocytes

Abstract

Fourteen patients treated with total hip endoprosthesis were investigated for leucocyte defects. A chemotactic assay was used as an indicator of leucocyte function. Tests were carried out preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3 and 6. the chemotactic index started to decline on the first postoperative day, reached a peak on the third day after surgery and returned to almost preoperative values on the sixth day. the results might provide a clinical explanation for the data showing a high postoperative infection rate in total hip surgery. © 1982 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.