Platelet activation and catecholamine levels during surgery and the effects of corticosteroids on these reactions were examined in fourteen patients operated by uncemented total hip replacement (THR). Beta-thromboglobulin (BTG), released from alpha granules during platelet activation, catecholamines and cortisol were examined in plasma before operation and in the early postoperative period. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, a corticosteroid group where the patients were treated by high doses of methylprednisolone (HDC) and a nonsteroid group. BTG increased about 200% during the operation, and thereafter, decreased to slightly supranormal values after 24 hours. There were no significant differences between the two patient groups. Catecholamine levels were low, and there were only minor changes following surgery. Cortisol increased following THR in the nonsteroid group. A standardized muscle-skeletal trauma in the form of THR caused a significant increase in platelet activation as evaluated by BTG increase during the first 24 hours after the operation. Catecholamines did not seem to be of importance for this activation, neither were the levels of BTG influenced by HDC.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones Aged