Abstract
Recent investigations have demonstrated that the depth of anesthesia is associated with long-term outcome in postoperative patients. Owing to their suppressive effects on immune cells such as lymphocytes and neutrophils, volatile anesthetics can contribute to modulating long-term outcomes. While volatile anesthetic-induced immunosuppressive effects can improve outcomes, possibly by modulating inflammatory responses, they pose potential risks in patients with cancer and other patients susceptible to infection. In this review, we discuss the link between depth of anesthesia and long-term outcome, focusing on the effects of volatile anesthetics on host immunity and immune cell function.
