Implantation of alloplastic material increases survival of mice subsequently exposed to polymicrobial sepsis

PURPOSE: Major surgery can modulate the immune system and by this the clinical course of following complications. Effects of minor surgical treatments on the immune system and septic complications are poorly understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the effect of a minor surgical procedure--the implantation of an osmotic pump--on the outcome of experimental polymicrobial sepsis (colon ascendens stent-induced peritonitis, CASP) in mice.

RESULTS: Animals with pumps implanted 3 days prior to CASP showed an attenuated clinical course of sepsis and increased survival. While measured serum cytokine levels were not affected by the minor surgical stress of pump implantation, splenocyte secretion of IFN-gamma in response to lipopolysaccharide was increased.

CONCLUSION: The early implantation of alloplastic material modulates the immune system and leads to an increased survival of a polymicrobial sepsis. Identifying the molecular nature of this effect might point the way to a new therapeutic approach to reduce sepsis mortality.