Meta-analysis of the effect of central neuraxial regional anesthesia compared with general anesthesia on postoperative natural killer T lymphocyte function

Abstract

Study objective: To compare the effect of central neuraxial (spinal or epidural) anesthesia with general anesthesia on postoperative natural killer (NK) T lymphocyte function.

Design: Meta-analysis.

Setting: University-affiliated hospital.

Measurements: A systematic search of the medical literature from 1966 to 2009 yielded 5 eligible studies with a total of 184 patients who received neuraxial blockade. Natural killer T lymphocyte function was studied.

Main results: There was significant heterogeneity between the studies [I(2) = 94.4% (95% CI= 90.3-96.2%)]. Overall fixed-effect odds ratio was 0.86 (0.66-1.14, P = 0.25). The random-effect odds ratio was 1.13 (0.26-4.92, P = 0.79).

Conclusion: Anesthetic technique does not appear to significantly affect postoperative NK T lymphocyte function. Given the heterogeneity observed, further clinical studies in cancer patients of the effect of anesthetic technique on immune function in general, and NK T lymphocyte function in particular, are needed.