Influence of Epidural Analgesia on Natural Killer Cell (NK) Activity After Colonic Cancer Surgery

Regional anesthesia may decrease the release of endogenous opioids, increase Natural Killer cell (NK) function and decrease development of metastasis. The recent analysis of the Cancer Registry has noted an improved 5-year survival in patients who received epidural analgesia during surgery for colorectal carcinoma.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing colonic cancer surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with poor physical status Patients needed emergency surgery Coagulopathic disorders with international normalized ratio (INR) level more than 1.4 Thrombocytopenia with platelets count less 100000 per mcl Allergic reaction to local anesthetics in patient history Failure to performing the epidural analgesia from another cause Preoperative immunomodulating treatment Recent history of chemotherapy or radiation therapy